Roman Iridescent Drinking Cup

£ 375.00

A rare Ancient Roman glass drinking cup, with iridescent elements over the transparent glass and earthly encrustations. The cup is round in shape, with a slightly conical base and an exerted rim. A simple linear pattern encircles the glass, with two parallel lines above a single line. The beauty of the cup is enhanced by the juxtaposition of the iridescence in the exterior and the earthly encrustations on the interior.

Date: Circa 1st - 3rd Century AD
Condition: Very fine condition. The rim has a single chip, and the interior and exterior have some earthly encrustations.

SOLD

SKU: MO-05 Category: Tags: ,

Roman glass objects have been recovered from domestic, industrial and funerary contexts across the expansive Empire. As in the modern day, glassware in antiquity was considered an art form, with the best pieces were valued higher than wares made from precious metals.

The iridescence on ancient Roman glass was unintentional, and was caused by weathering on its surface. The extent to which a glass object weathers depends mainly on the burial conditions; however, the humidity, heat, and type of soil in which the glass was buried also all affect its preservation.

Weight 88 g
Dimensions L 9 x W 9 x H 6 cm
Culture

Glass

Region

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