Chemical Characterization of Roman Glass Vessels, Enamels and Tesserae

Chemical characterization of Roman glass vessels, enamels and tesserae has revealed compositional relationships between enamels and tesserae including the use of high magnesia red and orange glass, normally considered to have gone out of use hundreds of years earlier. The conservative use of glass recipes over a 300 year period is reflected in the compositions; the results of mass-production versus more restricted production are discussed.