Images(30)

bowl

Object NameInlaid Bowl with Nilotic Scene

Made FromGlass

Date300-499

TechniqueCast, fused, inlaid glass technique, ground, polished

SizeOverall H: 4.4 cm, Diam (max): 20.2 cm

Accession Number2012.1.1

Credit LinePurchased in part with funds from the Ennion Society and the Houghton Endowment Fund

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Presented against a background of dark purple glass, this landscape shows the flora and fauna of the Nile River. Colorful birds and a dragonfly are displayed amid a variety of plant life, including the Nelumbo lotus. Each of the birds is different, and the plumage, beaks, and feet are carefully arranged in glass of different colors. Most easily identified is the flamingo on the left side.

Place Made

probably Egypt

Physical DescriptionBowl with Inlaid Nilotic Scene. Dark amethyst, white, red, green, blue, yellow, pink, purple glass; cast, fused, inlaid, ground, polished. Against a background of a dark, aubergine glass, a fantastic scene of a Nilotic landscape is presented in the form of colorful birds, a dragonfly, plants and flowers. The decorative elements are inlaid into the background glass. On the underside is an incised circle. The bowl was manufactured in multiple steps. The first step in the process of manufacturing this bowl was to shape a purple glass disk, into which the scenic elements were inlaid. The inlay technique could have been achieved in two ways. One scenario would have the scenic elements distributed across the surface of the disk, which was then carefully reheated and the elements pressed flat with a tool until they became embedded (inlaid) in the purple glass. In the second scenario, the scenic elements were laid out on a flat surface, and the heated purple disk was placed on top of them. The disk was then pressed onto the elements until they were submerged into the disk sufficiently. The decorated disk was then transferred to a slumping form to give it is present shape. It was carefully pushed over the form to better conform to it. After annealing, the bowl was finished by grinding and polishing.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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