Mosaic glass bowl (patella-bowl, acetabulum), 1st century AD
Green, violet, red, yellow and opaque white mosaic glass, fused, surface cut
(H x Ø)3,8 × 9,4 cm
Place of originRoman Empire, Italy (probably)
About the workThe bowl would have once been found on the dining table of a Roman family, where it was used for sauces. It is an “acetabulum”, literally a small bowl for vinegar. The term also served as a unit of measurement in cooking, so it is not surprising that the small bowls were always generally the same size and were made not only of glass but also of other materials. Because this bowl is made of mosaic glass, however, it would have been too valuable to use to measure oil and vinegar.
AccessionAcquisition 1976
Inventory numberP 1976-18
