Gold Glass Medallion with a Portrait of Gennadios in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2010

Gold Glass Medallion with a Portrait of Gennadios
Roman
Made 250-300, probably in Alexandria
Inscribed in Greek: "Gennadios, most accomplished in the musical arts"

Accession # 26.258

This exquisitely vivid image of an educated youth of the powerful port city of Alexandria probably celebrates his success in a musical contest. The medallion, worked in gold on dark blue glass, was made to be mounted and worn as a pendant.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.


Gold Glass from Rome

Glass vessels with elaborate gold foil patterns on their bases were popular in Rome. The patterns, reflecting all aspects of Roman life, were encased between two layers of glass. Carefully chipped medallions, a number of these bases were found in the catacombs, underground burial chambers, used by all religions in the late Roman and early Byzantine era. The bases may have been placed there in celebration of feasts for the dead or to mark the location of tombs. Many reflect the growing importance of Saints Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome, to Christians of the city during the fourth century.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art wall panel.