Images(3)

Russelbecher

Object NameClaw Beaker (Russelbecher)

Made FromGlass

Date400-599

Place Madeprobably Germany, Rhineland

TechniqueBlown, trailed, applied, inflated

SizeOverall H: 17.3 cm; Rim Diam: 10.6 cm

Accession Number70.1.46

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

The glass worker created the protrusions on this beaker by applying hot blobs of glass to the vessel wall, then pulling them outward while blowing to form the hollow “claws.”

Physical DescriptionTransparent light green glass; blown, trail applied, claws applied and inflated. Cylindrical beaker, somewhat lopsided. Mouth outsplayed, with rounded lip; wall descends vertically, then curves in, with narrow constriction at bottom; base shaped like disk, with rounded edge. Applied decoration consists of two thin, spirally wound trails and eight hollow claws. First trail is wound in 21 revolutions around uppermost 6.3 cm of wall; second trail is wound in 13 revolutions around bottom 5.3 cm of wall. Claws are arranged in two horizontal rows, each containing four, arranged in quincunx. Upper row is applied just above lower band of trailing; each claw consists of roughly circular pad with narrow protrusion, which was pulled out and down, and attached to wall, with excess glass drawn up as far as pad. Lower row is applied over lower band of trailing, in gaps between claws in upper row; each consists of roughly circular pad with serrated edge and narrow protrusion, which was pulled out and down and attached to wall, with excess glass drawn up as far as pad. Glass has many small bubbles and particles of Incompletely fused batch material.
Provenance

Source Karl Loffler - 1970