Description

A greenish colorless blown glass beaker with a plain cut rim, concave sides and a concave base. Hardly noticeable wheel incisions on the outside rim. The shape resembles our modern drinking glasses. What makes this beaker so unique is the incredible beauty of its iridescence on all sides, from top to bottom. 

Glass objects were made by core-forming, casting or glass blown. The latter transformed production. By blowing molten glass through a hollow pipe, craftsmen could quickly create bottles, cups, bowls, and other vessels. This made glass cheaper and more widely available. Roman glass was used mainly for containers such as bottles and jars for wine, oils, perfumes, medicines, and cosmetics, as well as tableware like cups and bowls.

Comparable:

www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1892-0317-46

www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1856-0501-50

www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1859-0301-9

ancientglass.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/roman-glass-beaker-with-iridescence/

Lightfoot - Ancient Glass in national Museums Scotland, page 79 #167.

Culture

Roman

Dating

c. 100 - 200 A.D.

Size

10 cm

Provenance

Dutch private collection, bought from Bonhams.

Private Collection Belgium, formed between the 1970s-1990s. 

Condition

Beaker is intact and therefore in great condition. The glass is flaking/weathering from its sides and bottom. On the one hand this makes the amazing iridescence, but on the other hand it makes the sides fragile.