Skip to main content
Artist/Maker
Unknown artist, Roman (Ancient)
Date1st century
MediumDrawn and tooled glass
DimensionsOverall: 6 7/16 × 5/16 × 3/16 in. (16.4 × 0.8 × 0.4 cm)
Other (Opening): 5/16 in. (0.8 cm)
Credit LineIsaac Hollister Hall, Class of 1859, Collection. Transferred from the Hamilton College Archives; Gift of Janet M. Bates.
Object number2015.6.36
On view
DescriptionTwo of the objects in the Isaac Hollister Hall Collection were long, thin needle-like objects that were each about sixteen centimeters in length. Far too fragile and long for needlework, I took a closer look at the objects to determine their actual function. The needles, one green and one blue, are comprised of solid rods that taper at one end to form a point, while the other end resembles the eye of a needle.
Archaeologists have discovered many of these needles in the Mediterranean and Near East regions and date them to the early years of Imperial Rome, specifically between the 1st and 3rd centuries A.D. Many scholars believe that these needles were originally used as hair pins or cosmetic applicators rather than for sewing. The Wellin’s needles are quite ornate and feature applied white trailing around the eyes of the needles, which further suggests their function as hair adornments.
The needles are among many other glass pieces in the Wellin’s collection, all distinctly from the Roman Imperial era and all discovered on Cyprus. Looking to take advantage of Cyprus’ location, the Roman Empire seized control of Cyprus in 58 A.D. and established it as a Roman province, until it transitioned to a province of the Byzantine Empire in 330 A.D. This relationship explains why the Roman glass pieces in the Wellin’s collection were discovered on Cyprus, and it reflects another rich part of the island’s long and diverse history (SOURCE: Ianna Recco '16, "Unpacking the Past: Object Highlight:
Roman Glass Needles," Wellinformed blog (Spring 2016), https://www.hamilton.edu/wellin/wellinformed/unpacking-the-past-object-highlight).
Additional Details
Alternate Titles
Needle
Exhibition History
2015
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Archive Hall: Art and Artifacts," May 2015 - ongoing (no catalog).
Clinton, NY. Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Archive Hall: Art and Artifacts," May 2015 - ongoing (no catalog).
Provenance
2013: Hamilton College (Archives), by gift of Janet M. Bates;
1999: Janet M. Bates, by bequest of her husband, George P. Bates;
?: George P. Bates, Class of 1936, by gift or bequest of his mother, Mary Hall Bates;
?: Mary Hall Bates, by gift or bequest of her father, Isaac Hollister Hall;
1875-77: Isaac Hollister Hall, by gift of General Luigi Palma di Cesnola;
1875-77: excavated by General Luigi Palma di Cesnola
1999: Janet M. Bates, by bequest of her husband, George P. Bates;
?: George P. Bates, Class of 1936, by gift or bequest of his mother, Mary Hall Bates;
?: Mary Hall Bates, by gift or bequest of her father, Isaac Hollister Hall;
1875-77: Isaac Hollister Hall, by gift of General Luigi Palma di Cesnola;
1875-77: excavated by General Luigi Palma di Cesnola
Unknown artist, Roman (Ancient)
Date: 1st century
Medium: Drawn and tooled glass
Object number: 2015.6.44
Date: 6th-8th century
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 2015.6.49
Unknown artist, Greek (Ancient)
Date: c. 1300-1100 BCE
Medium: Terracotta with slip
Object number: 2015.6.6
Unknown artist, Greek (Ancient)
Date: c. 750-600 BCE
Medium: Terracotta with slip
Object number: 2015.6.2
Thomas Nast
Date: published September 5, 1868
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.100
Unknown artist, Roman (Ancient)
Date: 3rd century
Medium: Blown glass
Object number: 2015.6.27
Unknown artist, Roman (Ancient)
Date: c. 4th century CE
Medium: Blown glass with trailing
Object number: 1929.107