A ROMAN MOSAIC GLASS FISH INLAY

EGYPT OR ITALY, CIRCA 3RD CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER

Details

A ROMAN MOSAIC GLASS FISH INLAY
egypt or italy, circa 3rd century a.d. or earlier
Preserving the head of a fish, green and white in color, with details fused to the surface, including a large round eye, the pupil green with a white spot in the upper half, surrounded by yellow, red and purple, the gill opaque red on a red, yellow and purple striped ground, the long mouth red with pointed white teeth
1.5/8 in. (4.1 cm) long

Lot Essay

The technique of fusing details to the surface might have been an innovation of the 3rd century A.D. A similar fish inlay was excavated in Athens in the context of a house destroyed in A.D. 267. Although traditionally thought to be earlier in date, these fish inlays are now considered a product of the 3rd century. The location of the workshop(s) is not know. For the most recent discussion, see p. 408 in Stern and Schlick-Nolte, Early Glass of the Ancient World, 1600 B.C.-A.D. 50, Ernesto Wolf Collection.

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