Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A stunning transparent glass plate of a pale-green color, free-blown, with raised walls on an applied ring foot and with a large but smooth pontil scar. There is a thin groove underneath the out-folded rim. The foot is tall and disc-shaped. The interior of the body curves inward, forming a gentle dip in the center of the plate. Vessels like this one could have been used during any course of a Roman meal, but it would have been ideal for laying out appetizers (the course called "gustum") like cold meat or small fish around the rim. Average Roman citizens used glass vessels like this one for every course of their evening meal, known as "cena." Size: 9.9" W x 2.5" H (25.1 cm x 6.4 cm)

A similar example hammered for $3,750 at Christie's, New York Antiquities auction (sale 2323, June 10, 2010, lot 63): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-roman-glass-plate-circa-3rd-4th-century-5321765-details.aspx

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135642

Two tiny chips from the underside of the foot, but otherwise in excellent condition. With a rainbow iridescent patina.