Artwork Page for Ribbed Glass Bowl

Details / Information for Ribbed Glass Bowl

Ribbed Glass Bowl

1–100 CE

Roman

Medium
glass
Measurements
Diameter: 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.)
Weight: 250 g (8.82 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 2009.474
Public Domain
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Location
103 Roman
Print
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Did You Know?

Fire-polishing is a technique used to smooth the surface of a vessel by briefly melting it after shaping the glass.

Description

This type of vessel represents the Roman manufacturing breakthrough of slump molding, which made high-quality glassware broadly affordable for the first time. The artisan formed ribs on a hot glass disk before the disk was placed on a convex form. The resulting bowl shape was slowly cooled and then turned on a lathe to polish the rim and apply incised detail. Finally, the bowl was fire-polished in the furnace. It is in pristine condition.
A ribbed, translucent amber glass bowl features a broad circular rim and a tapering base. Thick vertical ridges wrap around the exterior, creating a repeating pattern of rounded columns that glow with a deep golden hue. Silvery, weathered patches mottle the upper rim, contrasting with the smooth glass. The vessel rests in a pool of light, casting a dark, ribbed shadow that fans out across the surface below.

Ribbed Glass Bowl

1–100 CE

Roman

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