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497. Fragment of a Mosaic Inlay with Maritime Motif

Accession Number 76.AF.70.14
Dimensions L. 3.5, W. 1.9, Th. 0.2 cm; Wt. 3.05 g
Date First century BCE–first century CE
Production Area Egypt or Italy
Material Translucent purple and opaque green, white, and red glass
Modeling Technique and Decoration Fusion
View in Collection

Condition

Fragment; two of the original, rounded edges preserved.

Description

Wide, wavy bands of red and light green divided by three fine dark green lines and white glass. On one edge of this band, a short, bending, applied, red feature is preserved.

Comments and Comparanda

Possibly part of a maritime presentation, part of the body of a fish. Probably from the same object as cat. 498, although that piece is thicker (Th. 0.5 cm). For the historical and technological evolution of glass inlays in Pharaonic Egypt and the Roman Empire, see comments on cats. 449 and 460. For maritime motifs on incrustations, see comments on cat. 496.

Provenance

By 1976, Bruce McNall, donated to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 1976

Bibliography

Unpublished

Exhibitions

None