Fragment

Physical description

[Fragment] Depicts part of a frontally seated male figure, with his right hand raised across his chest, and the inscription 'TIMOTH[EUS]' round the left side.
[Fragment] Depicts part of a columnar building, in the right hand part of which stands a frontally posed, beardless male figure. Part of a figure in the central section of the building is visible.
[Fragment] This fragment is from a bowl that would have been decorated with figures arranged radially with heads outwards. The heads and bodies of two figures remain, between them a placard on a column inscribed 'FELIX' .
[Fragment] A fragment of the same bowl as Parts B and D.
It depicts the lower half of a figure and a column and part of a central medallion containing an inscription. The letters 'IS' can be partially distinguished.
[Fragment] Part of the same bowl as Parts B and C. It depicts a placard inscribed 'PAV[LO]S' and an arm pointing to it.
[Fragment] Joins on to the left side of Part D.

Place of Origin

Alexandria, Egypt (made)

Date

4th century (made)
4th century (made)
4th century (made)
4th century (made)
4th century (made)
4th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

[Fragment] Cut and incised gold-leaf applied to upper surface of clear glass before fusing to lower surface of clear glass.
[Fragment] Cut and incised gold-leaf applied to upper surface of clear glass before fusing to lower surface of clear glass.

Marks and inscriptions

[Fragment] TIMOTH[EUS] Timothy
[Fragment] FELIX Happy
[Fragment] 'IS' incomplete and therefore undecipherable
[Fragment] PAV[LO]S Paul

Dimensions

[Fragment] Length: 2.5 in
[Fragment] Length: 2.5 in
[Fragment] Length: 2.5 in
[Fragment] Length: 1.25 in
[Fragment] Length: 1.25 in
[Fragment] Length: 1 in

Object history note

[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.
[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.
[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.
[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.
[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.
[Fragment] Given to the Museum by Professor Percy E. Newberry, Winkworth Hill, Hascombe near Godalming, Surrey.

Historical context note

Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] The Apostles Peter and Paul are frequently depicted on gold glass and the inscription may refer to the latter.

Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.
[Fragment] Surviving examples of Roman gold-glass, of which these are fragmentary pieces, tend largely to have formed the bases of bowls and cups. They were broken out of the vessel and set into the plaster that closed the loculi (burial niches) in the catacombs. Hence many contain Christian imagery and mottoes of good luck for a happy after-life.

Descriptive line

Fragment of gold glass, Egypto-Roman (Alexandria), 300-399 AD

Materials

Glass; Gold leaf

Techniques

Gold-glass

Categories

Glass; Archaeology; Death

Collection code

CER