Terracotta lead-glazed scyphus (drinking cup)
Mold-made body, with applied handles. Pale green exterior and yellow-brown interior.
Vertical, rounded rim, with flaring band below on interior, forming horizontal ridge; convex-curving side, tapering to flaring base ring; flat base; two ring handles on upper body, with round stud at top and outward angular projection at bottom; above each ring, horizontal thumb-rest, flaring to straight ends and flanked by volutes and finials.
Decoration: matching pattern in relief on both sides; two vine tendrils with leaves and bunches of grapes, facing inward; at center, above ends of vines, a rosette with a central dot and eight pointed petals; tendrils hang from a large, vertical ribbon, round at bottom, whose top is concealed by the handle. Above decoration, two horizontal grooves; below, a raised horizontal line. Groove on bottom of base ring; raised circle around edge of base.
Most of one ring handle missing, but body intact. A jagged knob is attached to the interior near the bottom, which with two other spots form a triangle, indicating a kiln spacer tripod was placed inside the cup during firing.
Vertical, rounded rim, with flaring band below on interior, forming horizontal ridge; convex-curving side, tapering to flaring base ring; flat base; two ring handles on upper body, with round stud at top and outward angular projection at bottom; above each ring, horizontal thumb-rest, flaring to straight ends and flanked by volutes and finials.
Decoration: matching pattern in relief on both sides; two vine tendrils with leaves and bunches of grapes, facing inward; at center, above ends of vines, a rosette with a central dot and eight pointed petals; tendrils hang from a large, vertical ribbon, round at bottom, whose top is concealed by the handle. Above decoration, two horizontal grooves; below, a raised horizontal line. Groove on bottom of base ring; raised circle around edge of base.
Most of one ring handle missing, but body intact. A jagged knob is attached to the interior near the bottom, which with two other spots form a triangle, indicating a kiln spacer tripod was placed inside the cup during firing.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta lead-glazed scyphus (drinking cup)
- Period: Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
- Date: 1st half of 1st century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Terracotta; lead-glazed ware made at Tarsus (Cilicia)
- Dimensions: Height: 2 15/16 in. (7.49 cm)
Diameter of rim: 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm)
Width across handles: 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
- Object Number: 74.51.388
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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