Glass beaker

Unknown

1st half of 1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent pale green. Outsplayed unworked rim; cylindrical body with vertical sides; uneven, flat bottom. Two vertical mold seams run down sides from rim to edge of bottom, with a separate disk-shaped base section. On body, large central frieze bordered above and below by a horizontal wreath with chevrons, facing in opposite directions: the frieze contains six large loops of vine tendrils, three on each side, each loop enclosing a vine leaf in outline or a stylized grape cluster comprising a series of dots; on one side, two leaves flank a cluster; on the other, two clusters flank a leaf. On bottom, projecting rounded ring and central dot. Chips missing in rim and larger holes in lower body and around edge of bottom; few bubbles; some dulling and reddish brown encrustation, with faint weathering and iridescence. Although closely related to Victory beakers, such as 81.10.210 and 81.10.214 also displayed here, this drinking cup has a more general appeal with its decoration of stylized vine leaves and grape clusters.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st half of 1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881