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"Onyx" Wares
Amongst the Roman elite, tablewares were often
fashioned from the precious hardstone sardonyx. Less expensive imitations
were created using a mixture of white and amber glass. These so-called "onyx" wares were created using a "jelly roll"
pattern. Sheets of amber and white glass were rolled together to
form a cylindrical rod. The rod was sliced into discs and a few
of these were fused together. As the glass was molded, each disc's
pattern became distorted so that it took on the appearance of real sardonyx.
Glass also was used to simulate other popular
hardstones such as agate, with its banded greyish blue and white
structure; and fluorspar, with its diffuse bands of blue and purple
that run through an otherwise near-colorless structure.
These and all mosaic wares only stayed in fashion
until the time of Nero (reigned, A.D. 54-68), when the pendulum
of Roman taste swung towards decolorized waresçcompletely transparent
vessels which mimicked precious rock-crystal.
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"Onyx ware" pattern
Mosaic glass simulating
the natural banding of fluorspar
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