Roman Deity Beaker
Manufacturer
Unknown
CultureRoman
Date2nd century A.D.
MediumMold blown glass
DimensionsOverall: 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
Overall, Rim: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
Base: 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
Overall, Rim: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
Base: 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
InscribedLabel from dealer reads: "29639/4000.-/Roman 2nd Century A.D.".
Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Object number71.6780
Not on view
DescriptionRoman Deity beaker of amethyst blown molded glass. In high relief are four Roman dieties, Neptune, Jupiter, Bacchus, and Sylvanus. They are separated by four fluted ionic columns from foot level (.75" above plain bottom band) to just above deities heads to the .625" high plain top band. The base has two circles, the outer is raised and the inner one is indented. There may have been a center mark too. It appears to be a four part mold, but may be a five. Badly damaged with many areas of reconstruction. Weathering inside and out.Label TextRoman Empire, probably Eastern Mediterranean Beaker with Mythological Figures, late 1st-early 2nd century A.D. Mold-blown glass Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.6780 Shortly after the advent of the blowpipe, glassworkers began using multi-part molds to make glass vessels. Mold-blowing glass was advantageous because the form and decoration of the object could be achieved very quickly with less skilled labor. It also meant that sizes and capacities of glass vessels could be standardized for commercial use. Mold-blown vessels were made in imitation of gold and silver objects, which were far more expensive. Published ReferencesJane Hayward, "Roman Mold-Blown Glass at Yale University," CORNING JOURNAL OF GLASS STUDIES, IV, 1962, pg. 55-57, fig. 11-14. Gladys Davidson Weinberg, "Mold-Blown Beakers with Mythological Scenes," CORNING JOURNAL OF GLASS STUDIES, VOL. XIV, 1972, pg. 40 (27-47). Karol B. Wight, "Mythological Beakers: A Re-Examination," _Journal of Glass Studies_ 36 (1994): 38, 40-41.
