RECENT INVESTIGATIONS OF EARLY ROMAN CAMEO GLASS .2. X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE ANALYSES INDUCED BY SYNCHROTRON-RADIATION

The elemental composition of 14 Roman cameo grass fragments was measur ed quantitatively by X-ray fluorescence analysis induced by synchrotro n radiation. The study was intended to learn more about the possible m anufacturing techniques of these glasses. In the white cameo decor of nine fragments all belonging to vessels a higher lead oxide concentrat ion was detected compared to the colored body. In contrast, lead oxide is not enhanced in the remaining five fragments from cameo disks or p lates. The higher concentrations may be interpreted as flux added to l ower the melting temperature of the white cameo layers of the vessels, thus supporting the recent hypothesis that these cameo vessels were m anufactured with the help of a mold on a turning wheel, which had not to be used for the production of cameo plates.