Images(2)

panel

Object NameFragment of Panel with Thomas

Made FromGlass, Gold, Resin, Ceramic

Date350-399

Place Madeprobably Egypt

TechniqueCast, cut, mosaic

SizeOverall L: 79 cm

Accession Number86.1.1

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Glass of the Caesars

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

This fragment came from a panel composed of pieces of flat glass that were cut to the desired shapes, fitted together, and inlaid in a resinous or bituminous matrix. The panel, which depicts the apostle Thomas, once decorated the wall of a church or chapel. While glass was used to windows in antiquity, this panel was not intended for that purpose.

Physical DescriptionFragment of Panel with Thomas. Opaque and translucent glass in red, yellow, dark blue, turquoise, pink, green, white, and purple, set in a resinous or bituminous matrix and backed with pieces of ceramic earthenware amphora or tile; cast, cut, mosaic. Fragments come from the upper part and side of a rectangular panel. This contained a roundel bearing a chi-rho in gold sandwich glass on a translucent turquoise background; to the right of the roundel is a standing figure, of which only the head remains, facing left and identified, in Greek, as Thomas. The background is opaque dark blue. To the right of the figure is the remains of a column with an Ionic capital. We may suppose that the roundel was in the center of the panel, with a standing figure on either side.
Provenance

Source Galerie Nefer - 1986-02-19