Recent investigations of early Roman cameo glass : Part 1 . Cameo manufacturing technique and rotary scratches of ancient glass vessels

Abstract

The manufacturing traces of ancient cameo glass were investigated. These investigations had a surprising result: early Roman cameo glass vessels have not been cut from overlay blanks. Instead, their manufacture appears to be related to the molding of multi-layered cameo glass gems and to the contemporary relief ceramics. The basic principle of the assumed cameo glass manufacturing process has been experimentally verified. Independently, the typical rotary "Scratches" of ancient glass vessels were investigated. Rotary Scratches are also a typical feature of early Roman cameo glass. The investigation confirms that these Scratches are not grinding marks. They were obviously generated during the hot manufacturing process.