Glass cup
Unworked vertical rim of varying thickness; cylindrical body with vertical sides; bottom with S-shaped curve around outer section, then a projecting circular base with raised outer band but concave with slight kick in center; two loop handles attached to sides over upper decorative frieze.
Body decorated with a plain band below rim above two horizontal friezes in relief; on the upper, which is bounded above and below by a fine raised line, two Greek inscriptions, each within a tabula ansata; one flanked by ivy sprays with leaves and berries and the other by vine sprays with leaves and bunches of grapes; both sets of foliage issuing from two vertically fluted colonettes with base and Ionic capital, set at sides near handles; dividing the upper from the lower frieze, a broad projecting horizontal ridge; on the lower frieze, close-set vertical flutes, rounded at both ends; on outer section of bottom, a diagonal net pattern; three raised concentric circles and central dot on base.
Broken and cracked, with one handle missing and large gap and two smaller chips in rim; a few pinprick bubbles; faint weathering and iridescence.
Sides blown in a three-part mold, with mold marks extending to ridge below vertical flutes; separate saucer-shaped mold for underside and bottom.
Mold-blowing developed in the early decades of the first century A.D. as an offshoot of free-blowing. The earliest makers of mold-blown glass probably came from the Syro-Palestinian region, although their wares quickly became popular throughout the Roman Empire. The most famous and attractive vessels are signed in Greek by Ennion; about thirty examples of his work survive today. These three vessels show the variety of forms and fine decorated details that Ennion's workshop produced.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass cup
- Period: Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
- Date: 1st half of 1st century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown in a four-part mold
- Dimensions: Other: 2 7/16 × 4 3/8 in. (6.2 × 11.1 cm)
Diam. of rim: 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm)
Diam. of foot: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm) - Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.194.225
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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