Glass beaker

Unknown

ca. 40–100 CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent yellow green. Unworked, knocked-off rim with slight bulge below; truncated conical body; thick, concave bottom. Three vertical mold seams run down sides from bulge to edge of bottom, with a separate shallow disk-shaped base section. On body, five staggered rows of buds, decreasing in size, down side, some smooth, some tiered on surface, and alternating with raised dots; on bottom, a single raised circle. Intact, but with several chips in rim; pinprick bubbles and blowing striations; pitting and iridescent weathering on exterior, small patches of creamy brown weathering and iridescence on interior. The raised bosses that decorate this drinking vessel are identified as representing the knots in the club wielded by Hercules, whose cult was popular with the Romans. Finds from numerous military sites across the Empire may suggest that soldiers in particular liked to have glass tableware that recalled the strength and drinking prowess of the great hero.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 40–100 CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

H.O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer, 1929