column
Object Name12 Papyrus Column Elements
Made FromGlass
Date325-1 BCE
Place MadeEgypt
Techniquecast, ground, polished
Size(a) H: 3.7 cm, Diam: 8.1 cm; (b) H: 0.9 cm, Diam: 4.1 cm; (c,h,j) H: 3.9 cm, Diam: 4.2 cm; (d) H: 4.1 cm, Diam: 4.2 cm; (e) H: 3.8 cm, Diam: 4.2 cm; (f, i) H: 4.1 cm, Diam: 4.1 cm; (g) H: 4 cm, Diam 4 cm; (j, k) H: 4.2 cm, Diam 4.2 cm
Accession Number59.1.66
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Verres Antiques de la Collection R.W. Smith
Glass from the Ancient World
Not On View
Physical DescriptionCapital of opaque yellow, drums of opaque yellow and opaque dark blue, rings of opaque turquoise and opaque red glass, all are bubbly, pitted, and covered with a light brown to iridescent weathering crust in various states from a smooth dull surface to a spalled and chipped pattern where the weathering product has removed thin layers of glass; cast around a solid cylindrical cored (perhaps metal) and subsequently ground and polished. (a) The capital is cast in the shape of a stylized papyrus bud and retains concentric lathe-cut polishing marks on the exterior surface, it and all subsequent elements are pierced vertically by a 1.6 cm. diameter hole. (b; three elements) A thin ring of red glass is sandwiched between two of turquoise in what may form the transitional element between capital and column shaft. (c,d,i,j) Cylindrical elements of deep blue, "d" apparently ground on both ends, the others ground only on one end, the opposite being somewhat concave in cross section. (e-h, k,l) Similar elements of opaque yellow, again ground on one or both ends.Provenance
Source
Ray Winfield Smith
(American, 1897-1982) - 1959-07-27
Former Collection
Countess of Behague
(Paris)
