LARGE FLAT Pale green-blue blown glass Diam. 25.5 cm; H.8.5 cm Roman art, 1st-3rd century Provenance Private European collection, acquired from Art Ancient, Chris Martin, Southgate London, late 1990s An elegant blown glass dish with a flared profile and a ring-shaped base. The piece features a large bowl with curved sides rising from a finely worked projecting circular foot. The base is marked by a central umbilicus characteristic of the free-blown technique. The glass, with its pale aqua-green hue typical of Roman production, reveals a luminous translucence and a remarkable thinness of wall. Over the centuries, the vitreous material has developed a magnificent patina of silvery iridescence, with rainbow reflections testifying to the object's prolonged burial and the natural alteration of its surface by the mineral salts in the soil. Excellent conservation. This type of dish was used to present and serve food during Roman meals (convivium). Its flared shape made it ideal for liquid, semi-liquid or fruit dishes. Glass, a hygienic and non-porous material, was particularly popular for tableware among the wealthy classes of the Empire. In the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing brought about a relative democratisation of glass, which nevertheless remained a luxury product appreciated for its translucency, visual purity and brilliance. Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History (XXXVI, 194-199), testifies to the Romans' enthusiasm for glass tableware, which was considered to be equal to, and even superior to, silverware for certain uses. A Roman blown pale green-blue glass dish. 1st-3rd century A.D. Elegant blown glass dish with flared profile and annular base. The piece features a wide bowl with curved walls rising from a finely crafted protruding circular foot. The base is marked by a central pontil scar characteristic of the free-blowing technique. The glass, in a pale aquatic green hue typical of Roman production, reveals luminous translucency and remarkable thinness of wall. Over the centuries, the vitreous material has developed a magnificent silvery iridescent patina, rainbow-like reflections bearing witness to the object's prolonged burial and the natural alteration of its surface by mineral salts in the soil. Great overall condition. This type of dish served for the presentation and serving of food during Roman meals (convivium). Its flared form destined it for liquid or semi-liquid preparations, or for fruit. Glass, a hygienic and non-porous material, was particularly prized for tableware among the wealthy classes of the Empire. In the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing enabled a relative democratization of glass, which nevertheless remained a luxury product appreciated for its translucency, visual purity, and brilliance. Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History (XXXVI, 194-199), attests to the Romans' enthusiasm for glass tableware, considered equal to, or even superior to, silverware for certain uses.