Glass, vessel, dish

Glass dish with millefiori design recovered from a Roman child's grave. Each glass rod appears to consits of: (a) at centre 4 opaque white canes (arranged 2 x 2); surrounded by (b) 8 red canes (arranged 3 x 3); then (c) 12 dark blue canes (4 x 4); then (d) 16 green canes (5 x 5); finally, (e) 20 yellow canes (6 x 6). The complete rod was apparently square, though most have been distorted. Unweathered, 'as new'. Parts present: rim (10%), body, base (20%). The three fragments are joined. Technical features: cast, ground and polished. Rim has a strong outward chamfer. Body is straight-sided with a sharp carination leading to a flat base. Slightly splayed base ring. The technique (sagging) and the use of millefiori should date these sherds to the first half of the 1st century AD; however, the vessel shape is a later one, and it is just possible that this use of millefiori is a later Roman revival, contemporary with the other items from the grave.

From B392, the burial of a child in a lead coffin, with other glass items (see <751>), a coin of Hadrian or Antoninus Pius (117-161), and three Venus figurines.