Roman bowl

Name/Title

Roman bowl

Entry/Object ID

820

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

James W. Paul, Jr., Philadelphia

Notes

Date: 1894 Means of Accession: gift

Made/Created

Artist

Unidentified

Date made

circa 400 CE

Place

City

Tyre

Country

Lebanon

Region

Middle East

Continent

Asia

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

Diam, Height: 4x2 3/8 in; Diam, Height: 10.16x6.03 cm

Height

2-3/8 in

Diameter

4 in

Height

6.03 cm

Diameter

10.16 cm

Material

Glass, blown

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

The body color of glass comes from the materials and manufacturing method used. A mixture of minerals, iron and sand creates glass, and by manipulating these minerals, the Romans discovered how the color of the glass could change. The coloring of this glass today is accidental, occurring by mere chance. After being buried deep in soil for many years, the chemical makeup of the glass has changed, giving this ancient glass an iridescent look. When immersed in water the iridescence will actually go away, and will reappear once dry.