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Glass trick bottle or cup

2nd–4th century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Translucent deep olive green, appearing opaque black.
Rim folded down, over, and in, forming slight inner lip; broad, uneven mouth; cylindrical neck expanding downwards to join squat bulbous body; bottom deeply push in to form hemispherical concavity. Stands aslant.
Intact; pinprick bubbles; some pitting and iridescence, with one area of dulling where thick enamel-like brown weathering has flaked off.

Essentially a perfume bottle with a deeply pressed in bottom. When inverted it appears as a 'double-walled' cup, hence this type of vessel has previously been described as an 'egg cup.'

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass trick bottle or cup
  • Period: Imperial
  • Date: 2nd–4th century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass; blown
  • Dimensions: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
    Other: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
    Diam. of foot: 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.150
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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