As Pliny the Elder wrote in "Natural History": "And so we must now proceed to explain also the nature of glass..." Taking its cue from that immortal line, this interactive exhibit from the Penn Museum explores the history of glassworking through the six centuries of Roman domination of the Mediterranean world. Through photographs and diagrams, this website tells the story of glassware in everyday life and its use for storing foodstuffs, wine, and perfumes. The sections of the exhibit explore coloration, glassworking, fine glassware, weathering, and other related topics. Each section contains engaging text and a list of references, and the section on the coloration of glass should not be missed. After looking over the site, visitors may find themselves yearning to take up glass blowing as a form of artistic endeavor.
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