roundel

Object NameRoundel Fragment with Shepherd and Flock

Made FromGlass, Gold Leaf

Date300-399

Place MadeItaly, Rome

Techniquegold glass technique, fused

SizeOverall Diam (max): 9.7 cm

Accession Number66.1.37

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Ambrose and Agustine: The Origins of Europe

Age of Spirituality

Glass of the Caesars

Picturing the Bible: The Earliest Christian Art

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

This fragment probably came from the center of a dish. The Latin inscription “DIGNITAS.AMICORVM.PIE.ZESAIS.VIVAS” means “(Be) the pride of your friends. Drink that you may live. May you live.”

Physical DescriptionTransparent pale green glass; gold leaf sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Roundel with low footring; two sheets of glass, edge of lower sheet folded to form base ring; decorated in gold leaf: rustic scene in two concentric circles which contain inscription; on right, shepherd, short-haired and beardless wearing girdled tunic and leggings, holding syrinx in both hands with crook leaning against right knee; to his right, tree, pollarded, with leafy branch; to his left, jar and three rams, in field, dots and five leaf sprays.
Provenance

Source Sergio Sangiorgi (Italian) - 1966

Former Collection Giorgio Sangiorgi (Italian, 1886-1965)