Krateriskos (Mid 14th century B.C.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Is That Really Glass?
Yes, That Is Actually Glass!
Not translucent but opaque, which means non-transparent, brought about by chemical processes.
Even if it looks like it, the glass isn’t painted. Instead, colourful threads of glass were added. After reheating the glass, the threads were combed into a wave pattern. The manufacturing process of these early vessels was extremely elaborate and this is why glass was a luxury product for well over a thousand years.
How far Back Does Glass Go?
Glass existed long before it was produced by humans. For example, obsidian – volcanic rock glass – was formed by the cooling of molten lava.
People of the Neolithic period used this type of glass to make spearheads or amulets. But when did humans start to make glass? Where did it come from? And who discovered the substance?
Accidental Discovery?
The earliest “manufactured” glass objects date from the 3rd millennium BC and come from Mesopotamia. However, these are individual finds, mainly beads. The glass that was used for these was probably an accidental by-product of the processing of metal. A lump of blue glass from Eridu was likely to have been produced in this way.
The Beginning of Glass Production
Evidence of the deliberate production of glass can only be found from the second half of the 16th century BC in northern Syria and Mesopotamia. Craftsmen had discovered that a pliable material could be produced by the melting together of quartz sand and soda ash and coloured with the addition of metal oxides. To achieve blue and green colour, for instance, copper was used.
Ripped, Rectangular Beads (2nd half 16th/14th century B.C.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Early Glass Products
The majority of early glass products were disk-shaped pendants that were used as wall decorations, beads, and inlays. They were mainly blue or turquoise coloured and imitated semi-precious stones such as turquoise or lapis lazuli.
It is notable that the term for glass in Akkadian, the common language of the ancient Near East, literally translates as “lapis lazuli from the kiln”, as opposed to “lapis lazuli from the mountains”, which was used to refer to the genuine semi-precious stone.
Dissemination and Forms
Knowledge about glass working spread from the Near East into Egypt, where the art of glassmaking had its first heyday in the 15th century BC. This can particularly be seen in the production of high-quality hollow vessels.
Vessels used for storing perfumes, salves, and makeup, such as this flask in the shape of a pomegranate.
The pomegranate was a symbol of fertility in all ancient cultures. Therefore, it is conceivable that these small vessels with their scented contents were given to women as gifts.
Core Formed Vessels (6.–2. century B.C.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Glass vessels were a luxury product at this time due to their complex production process. They were formed around a core made out of clay, dung, and sand that had the same shape as the inside of the final vessel. The core was coated with glass and scraped out after the glass had cooled.
This technique had limitations for glassmakers with respect to the shape and size of the vessels. Nevertheless, it was used until the late first millennium BC. Greek ceramic forms were frequently imitated in miniature form. Oils and scented essences were kept in the small, colourful vessels.
Finding New Forms!
It was probably experimentation that led to new techniques from the 4th century BC, allowing the production of larger and more varied shapes, such as this glass bowl from the 2nd century BC with a diameter of 25 cm.
Achaemenid Lotus Corolla Cup (1st half 4th century B.C.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
The range of vessels predominantly included vessels for use at table or that served as grave goods.
Metal vessels were occasionally imitated, for example the so-called Achaemenid lotus corolla cup (4th century BC), which comes from the territory of today’s Iran.
Achaemenid Bronze BowlLandesmuseum Württemberg
This vessel form was widespread, numerous specimens made of bronze are known.
Procession of Syrians from the Apadana at Persepolis (1933)Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum
It can even be found in reliefs in Persepolis, the residence of the Persian great kings: Emissaries from all over the extensive territory of the Persian empire brought gifts with them.
Colourful Diversity
Glass mosaic bowls, the designs of which appear very modern, enjoyed great popularity …
…. and they really were incredibly colourful, as these fragments clearly show.
Mosaic Glass Inlay with Mask of a Brothel KeeperLandesmuseum Württemberg
Glass as Decoration
It was not only vessels that were manufactured but also small glass inlays for decorating furniture and caskets: true small-scale artworks!
Theatre masks were particularly popular, such as characters from the Greek New Comedy, for example Pornoboskos, the brothel-keeper.
Only one half of a face was produced. Complete faces were produced by combining two inlays, one of which was simply reversed.
Roman Square Bottles (1st – 3rd century A.D.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
From Luxury Good to Mass Production
It was around 50 BC that the glassmaker's blowpipe was invented. This was a technological revolution since the rapid production of different shapes and sizes of glass vessels was now possible and they became largely a mass product!
Roman Blown Vessels (1st – 3rd century A.D.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Beakers and Jars (1st – 4rd century A.D.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Vessels in the Shape of Birds (1st – 2nd century A.D.)Landesmuseum Württemberg
Blown glass also had its appeal and glassmakers had an imaginative abundance of forms, such as these delicate flasks in the shape of birds that were used for storing perfumes and powder.
Fragile Luxury
Although glass vessels could now be produced in large quantities, vessels with elaborate production processes continued to be made, such as this amber-coloured ribbed bowl, which imitated a bowl made out of agate. Stone vessels were also very popular among the upper social levels but affordable only for a few. Their imitations made from glass were cheaper but still very valuable!
Roman Mosaic Glass Ribbed BowlLandesmuseum Württemberg
Tap to explore
Want to See More?
Then visit our permanent display – Glass from four millennia.
Concept/text: Dr. Nina Willburger
Editorial work/realization: Anna Gnyp
English Translation: Sharon Adams
Photos and video: Hendrik Zwietasch, Jonathan Leliveldt
