Roman Glass

Roman Glass manufacture initially copied Greek methods producing colored glass vessels such as cups and vases.
By the 1st century CE glassware was available in every Roman household.

The materials the Romans used to make glass were Silica (sand) and Soda (sodium carbonate) with Lime as the stabiliser.
Glass blowing was developed using mould blown as well as free blown methods, producing clear glass vessels. This glass was known as ‘Aqua’, a transparent glass which had a pale blue green hue.
A highly specialized luxury glass was also produced.
Glass was used in Mosaic Tiles which were coloured yellow, blue or green.
Glass Cutting of a block of cold glass was achieved by using the same method as with gemstones, involving a diamond to cut the glass.

Glass first started to be used in windows in c. 100 CE, at first from a mould, then by the late 3rd century CE glass was formed into sheets.
The Roman Baths in Xanten included double glazing to keep the Baths warm in Winter.

This cup is the only preserved example of a glass cage cup (Diatretum) made from dichroic glass, which can display two different colours depending on the light source,
It was made in the 4th century CE and is now located in the British Museum.
A raised image of King Lycurgus was made by cutting the glass back to a thin ‘cage’.