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499. Fragment of a Mosaic Inlay with Marine (?) Motif

Accession Number 83.AF.28.9
Dimensions L. 1.5, W. 2.3, Th. 0.2 cm; Wt. 1.70 g
Date First century BCE–first century CE
Production Area Egypt or Italy
Material Opaque red, yellow, and green and translucent olive-green glass
Modeling Technique and Decoration Fusion
View in Collection

Condition

Fragment, broken all around.

Description

The same pattern appears on both sides. Could be the body of a fish or eel. Rectangular piece, cut in this shape in antiquity. Along the upper edge, a translucent olive-green band. Along the lower edge, an applied opaque red band. The body is made of rows of florets, each of them composed of a red central rod set in green and yellow layers, on a green background, giving the impression of fish scales.

Comments and Comparanda

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

1983, Jiří K. Frel, 1923–2006, donated to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 1983

Bibliography

Unpublished

Exhibitions

None