Glass beaker signed by Jason

Unknown

mid–1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent green. Outsplayed knocked-off rim with indent below; body with convex sides, tapering downwards; flat bottom, recessed within rounded edge. Three-part mold with two vertical sections joined to cup-shaped bottom section, forming decoration in relief on sides and bottom; two horizontal ridges above central frieze containing two Greek inscriptions, each in two lines and divided vertically by a stylized palm frond; below frieze, three more horizontal ridges; near bottom on cup section of mold, two more horizontal ridges; on bottom, raised circle surrounding central depression with small boss. Intact except for one small chip in rim; blowing striations, some pinprick and a few larger bubbles; dulling, pitting, and brilliant iridescent weathering on exterior, and thick creamy brown weathering with soil encrustation on sides of interior. The inscriptions read "Jason made (me/it)" on one side and "May the buyer be remembered" on the other. Molded into the sides of the beaker are two Greek inscriptions. One says Jason made [me or it], and the other seems to be an echo of a Semitic blessing, Let the buyer remember. The two may be read separately, but it is more logical to see them as a commercial slogan, Let the buyer remember [that] Jason made [this beaker], thereby encouraging customers to buy Jason’s products again.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid–1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman, Syro-Palestinian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1959