Roman Mosaic Wares

During the Augustan period the Romans elaborated on the Greek style of mosaic glassware, introducing a whole range of more complex patterns and color schemes. Multicolored rosettes and coils might be mixed with monochrome cane bundles, or clusters of stripes might be mixed with "lacework" motifs. These patterns were used on both plain and ribbed vessels, while their size and shape became more standardized, in keeping with the more industrial approach the Romans took toward glassworking.

Striped mosaic dish
Early 1st century A.D.
D., 14.5 cm

Composite cane pattern