Dishes and Bowls
“Apples seem more beautiful if they are floating in a glass.” (Seneca,
Investigations in Natural Science I.6)
Tablewares were the economic “bread-and-butter” of both the glassworking and potterymaking industries in the Roman World.
Dishes were used for the first course of hors d'ouevres—olives, eggs, etc.—or the main course of grilled fish or roasted meat,
and a mix of raw vegetables. Bowls would contain the fruits with which the Romans usually finished their supper.
All glassware is shown at a scale of one-to-one unless otherwise stated. |
Wall painting from the villa at Oplontis,
near Pompeii
Late 1st century A.D. |
|
| |
|
63-1-117
From Kourion (Cyprus), tomb 1
Mid 1st century B.C.
Greenish yellow
Excavated by George H. McFadden |
86-35-45
Provenance unknown
Early 1st century A.D.
Greenish blue
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux |
|
| |
|
MS 1506
From Toscanella (Italy)
Early-to-mid 1st century A.D.
Light amber
Gift of Phoebe A. Hearst |
MS 5119
Possibly from Damascus (Syria)
Mid 1st century A.D.
Light amber
Gift of Phoebe A. Hearst |
|
| |
|
58-30-3
Provenance unknown
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.
Light amber
Gift of Isaac D. Levy |
|
| |
|
86-35-19
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Bluish colorless
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux |
|
| |
|
MS 5257
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Bluish green
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux |
MS 5544
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Greenish blue
Gift of Lydia T. Morris |
|
| |
|
MS 5083
Possibly from Tubas (Syria)
4th century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co. |
|
| |
|
MS 5029
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Clear colorless
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
MS 4926
Possibly from Nazareth (Israel)
4th century A.D.
Light green; dark green
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
|
| |
|
86-35-20
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Clear colorless
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux |
|
| |
|
MS 5053
Possibly from Tubas (Syria)
4th century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
MS 5055
Possibly from Tubas (Syria)
Late 4th century A.D.
Bluish colorless
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
|
| |
|
MS 5057
Possibly from Tubas (Syria)
4th century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
MS 5127
Possibly from Tubas (Syria)
4th century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor& Co. |
|
| |
|
MS 5705
Provenance unknown
4th century A.D.
Light green
Gift of S. Anastassio |
|
| |
|
|
