and Pre-Romirror in the Villa of the Mysteries is a very early glass one, or whether it is an unusual silver one, its powers of reflection transcend the ordinary and venture off into a zone of allegory which we on the outside looking in are not yet equipped to comprehend. As we attempt to understand the sometimes enigmatic world of Rome, glass certainly acts as a mirror on its art, its poetry, its observations of nature, its cults and social morés, and its networks of trade and diplomacy. The images we perceive are of a complex, many-faceted society. And this is as it should be--for these images reflect back upon the complexities and antitheses inherent in glass itself. Even the derivation of the Latin work for glass -- "vitrum" has been much disputed by etymologists beginning with Isidore. He tells us:
It is called glass [vitrum] because it is, with its clearness, transparent to the vision [visus]. For in other materials whatever is contained inside is hidden, whereas in glass whatever clearness or appearance is manifested on the outside, it is the same inside, and though enclosed in a certain manner, is manifest.
(Etymologies XVI.16)
Thus, according to Isidore, "vitrum" comes from "videre" -- meaning "to see." Later etymologists have suggested other ideas on the subject. One proposes the Sanskrit "vithura" -- meaning "fragile, brittle, breakable thing." Another proposes a derivation from the Latin "virere" -- meaning "to be green." Still another proposes a descent from the Sanskrit "vitrás" or "vétás" -- meaning "white, light, shining."

And so it is that wondrous glass means many things.

TEXT PANELS IN THE EXHIBITION

To Be Added . . .

FURTHER READING

These publications, all in English, focus on ancient glass in American collections. In addition, the articles on ancient glass in the Journal of Glass Studies and in Readings in Glass History are highly recommended.

Auth, Susan H.
1976, Ancient Glass in the Newark Museum. The Newark Museum.

Goldstein, Sidney M., Rakow, Leanard S., and Rakow, Juliette K.
1982, Cameo Glass. The Corning Museum of Glass. Goldstein, Sidney M.
1979, Pre-Roman and Early Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass . The Corning Museum of Glass.

Grose, David.
1978, "Ancient Glass," Museum News, Vol. XX, no. 3. The Toledo Museum of Art.

Harden, Donald B.
1936, Roman Glass from Karanis. The University of Michigan Press.
1969, Ancient Glass: Pre-Roman and Roman. The Royal Archaeological Institute.

Hayes, John W.
1975, Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum. The Royal Ontario Museum.

Matheson, Susan B.
1980, Ancient Glass in the Yale University Art Gallery. Yale University Art Gallery.

Zumeta, Jay J.
1979, "A Recent Acquisition of Ancient Glass at the Kelsey Museum," Bulletin of the Museums of Art and Archaeology, Vol. II. The University of Michigan.