Examples of opaque core-formed glass are on display alongside blown-glass vessels at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. Core-formed vessels (the opaque vessels with striped patterns) were first made in Mesopotamia and Egypt, with the earliest objects dating from the late 16th and 15th centuries BCE. Transparent glass blown vessels were first produced only by the 1st century BCE.

Poet’s Statement

The poem “Glass” was based off the ancient Egyptian glass. This glass was made via a core-forming method rather than the glass blowing method. The difference in methods and use for the glass intrigued me and led to the poem “Glass.”

Glass

Dipped in molten flames

Covered in spindles

Of glossy sugar

Earth in its core.

A perfect mold

A perfect center

Shaped against

Cold cool metal.

A centerpiece

Opaque and delicate.

A decoration

Just for sale.