Bowl Base with a Portrait of a Young Man in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 2010

Bowl Base with a Portrait of a Young Man
Roman or Byzantine, probably from Rome
Made 300-500
Inscribed in Latin: With family and friends in affection, drink, live!

Accession # 18.145.5

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.