Terracotta lead-glazed scyphus (drinking cup)

Unknown

end of 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Mold-made body, with applied handles. Pale green exterior and yellow-brown interior. Vertical rim, with narrow, flaring lip and concave, narrow band below on exterior; convex-curving side; slightly flaring base ring; broad, flat base; small, raised center on interior of bottom; two ring handles on upper body, with projecting supports below; above each ring, thumb-rest, slanting upward and flanked by finials. Decoration: matching pattern in high relief on both sides; two confronted sprays: at left, vine or sycamore leaves; at right, ivy leaves and berries; all issuing from ties at top of sides, concealed by the handle. Above decoration, narrow band of ovules. Raised circle on inner edge of base ring; raised circle towards center of base. On upper surface of handles: in the middle two raised ridges run across top, with three bud-like knobs at the end; the finials are shaped as birds' heads. Intact, but one long firing crack across bottom. Lead-glazed cup with floral sprays in relief made at Tarsus in Cilicia (southern Asia Minor).

Artist

Unknown

Date

end of 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76