Golden Glass - II
Medallion of golden glass encapsulated in a gypsum block, and decorated with the portraits of two young men. Under the two figures is reported the inscription "PIE ZESES", the latin trascription of the Greek sentence "Drink and you will live".
The term "golden glasses" identifies decorations obtained by including a thin engraved layer of gold between two layers of glass. This type of work was very popular in the third and fourth centuries AD. It was primarily used to decorate bottoms of cups and glasses. Those most frequently used for this technique are the portraits, the mythological characters, and with the rise of Christianity, the depictions of saints.
Glass with golden layer
1st quarter of 4THcentury AD
Bologna, Archaeological Museum
Golden Glass - II
Medallion of golden glass encapsulated in a gypsum block, and decorated with the portraits of two young men. Under the two figures is reported the inscription "PIE ZESES", the latin trascription of the Greek sentence "Drink and you will live".
The term "golden glasses" identifies decorations obtained by including a thin engraved layer of gold between two layers of glass. This type of work was very popular in the third and fourth centuries AD. It was primarily used to decorate bottoms of cups and glasses. Those most frequently used for this technique are the portraits, the mythological characters, and with the rise of Christianity, the depictions of saints.
Glass with golden layer
1st quarter of 4THcentury AD
Bologna, Archaeological Museum