Display of Rock Crystal Objects in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oct. 2007

Five rock crystal works found in a cistern in Carthage (now in Tunisia, North Africa) demonstrate the quality of the arts of that great city as the Roman world became Byzantine. The Roman naturalist Pliny, describing the beauty of crystal, believed it to come from snow. It was thought to protect against kidney ailments and other diseases.

Rock Crystal Dish in the Form of a Temple
Roman or Byzantine, found in Carthage
Made 200-500
Accession # 55.135.5

Rock Crystal Bowl
Roman or Byzantine, found in Carthage
Made 200-500
Accession # 55.135.8

Fragment of a Rock Crystal Bowl
Roman or Byzantine, found in Carthage
Made 200-500
Accession # 55.135.7
Fish and shells carved in relief decorate this fragment of a bowl. When complete, it may have been suspended by chains and filled with oil for use as a lamp.

Rock Crystal Statuette of a Dolphin
Roman or Byzantine, found in Carthage
Made 200-500
Accession # 55.135.9

Rock Crystal Statuette of a Lion
Roman or Byzantine, found in Carthage
Made 200-500
Accession # 55.135.6
A groove on the bottom of this tiny lion suggests that it was formerly mounted on another object, possibly a scepter.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.