Vase

About this artwork

Most of the glass vessels in this case date from the first century BC to the fourth century AD. Early glass vessels were made in the Middle East and Egypt using the core-forming technique, in which molten glass was poured over a clay core and decorated with threads of colored glass. During the first century AD, Rome became the center of glassmaking, and the invention of blown glass led to new methods, including free-blown glass, which could be decorated by pinching, rolling, or dragging the surf...

Art Historical Context

This elegant vase, part of the Smithsonian American Art's renowned collection of ancient glass vessels (gift of John Gellat), exemplifies the artistry of Roman glassmaking from the first century BC to the fourth century AD Though its exact origins remain unidentified, it belongs to a display case showcasing vessels crafted in the Middle East,, and later Rome—the epicenter of innovation after the invention of glassblowing around the first century AD. techniques like core-forming, where molten glass was draped over a clay core and adorned with colorful threads, gave way to revolutionary blown ...

About the Artist

Unidentified ( ) · –