Glass cup in the form of the head of a Black African
Translucent blue green.
Lopsided, everted, thick, knocked-off rim; narrow, cylindrical neck; body modeled in the shape of a head in the round; base ring with rounded lower edge; flat bottom. Two mold seams run from rim down sides of head to base ring, with a separate disk-shaped base section.
On body, a head wearing an ivy wreath and globular pendant earrings; one half of mold comprises the back of the head and part of the proper left ear, with the hair arranged in six horizontal rows of short vertical locks in relief, and wreath tied in a knot at back with hanging finials; the other half of the mold shows the face and all of his proper right ear, with a regular, curving fringe to his hair, high arched eyebrows, large almond-shaped eyes, raised cheeks, broad flat nose, large open mouth with upper teeth showing and full lips, and a small but prominent chin; on bottom, a single raised circle around a central raised dot.
Intact; a few pinprick and larger bubbles; slight dulling and faint iridescence, with small patches of weathering.
Other examples of glass flasks in the form of the head of a Black African are signed—one group in Latin, the other in Greek.
Lopsided, everted, thick, knocked-off rim; narrow, cylindrical neck; body modeled in the shape of a head in the round; base ring with rounded lower edge; flat bottom. Two mold seams run from rim down sides of head to base ring, with a separate disk-shaped base section.
On body, a head wearing an ivy wreath and globular pendant earrings; one half of mold comprises the back of the head and part of the proper left ear, with the hair arranged in six horizontal rows of short vertical locks in relief, and wreath tied in a knot at back with hanging finials; the other half of the mold shows the face and all of his proper right ear, with a regular, curving fringe to his hair, high arched eyebrows, large almond-shaped eyes, raised cheeks, broad flat nose, large open mouth with upper teeth showing and full lips, and a small but prominent chin; on bottom, a single raised circle around a central raised dot.
Intact; a few pinprick and larger bubbles; slight dulling and faint iridescence, with small patches of weathering.
Other examples of glass flasks in the form of the head of a Black African are signed—one group in Latin, the other in Greek.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass cup in the form of the head of a Black African
- Period: Early Imperial, Flavian
- Date: 2nd half of 1st century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown in a three-part mold
- Dimensions: H. 4 1/8in. (10.5cm)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881
- Object Number: 81.10.226
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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