Rock Crystal Temple in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oct. 2007

Dish in the Form of a Temple, 3rd–5th century
Roman or Byzantine; Found in Carthage (now in Tunisia, North Africa)
Rock crystal; H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm), Diam. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Bequest of Ada Small Moore, 1955 (55.135.5)

This carefully carved dish, shaped like a circular temple, was probably meant for use as a saltcellar. It was found, along with four other rock-crystal carvings, in a cistern in Carthage (now in Tunisia, North Africa). The delicacy of the objects found there demonstrates the quality of the arts produced in one of the great cities of the Roman and early Byzantine world.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/05/afw/ho_55.135.5.htm