This title provides a stunningly illustrated and fascinating exploration of glassmaking in the ancient world. Some of the most astounding antiquities in museums today are pieces made of glass. Not only are they beautiful, with glorious colours and stunning shapes, but the reality that these fragile pieces have survived through the centuries is truly amazing. This superbly illustrated volume describes the uses glass and glassmaking in the ancient world. The first half examines the earliest techniques for making glass, including casting, coreforming and mosaic, all of which were used for centuries before the development of glass blowing in the middle of the first century BC. The second half of the book looks at the innovations that occurred in glassmaking during the Roman Imperial period.