Images(3)

The Disch Cantharus

Object NameCantharus

Made FromGlass, Gold

Date200-325

Place MadeGermany, probably Cologne

TechniqueBlown, gilded, scratched, applied, tooled

SizeOverall H: 13.8 cm, W: 15.5 cm, Diam (max): 11 cm

Accession Number66.1.267

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

The Art of Glass: Masterpieces from The Corning Museum of Glass

Masterpieces of Glass from The Corning Museum of Glass

Glass of the Caesars

On ViewAncient Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

This object was found in Cologne, Germany, in 1864. Its first known owner was the collector Charles Damien Disch. A cantharus is a drinking vessel with high handles, and it was used to consume wine. This example was elaborately decorated with gilding on the outside of the cup, over which a network of hot glass trails was placed in a zigzag pattern.

Physical DescriptionCantharus. Transparent greenish-colorless glass with many small bubbles, gold; blown, gilded decoration, scratched, applied cage and handles, tooled. Two-handled cup on stem with hollow conical foot; conical cup, curving inward at bottom; short, solid stem with flat, discoid knop; hollow conical foot with single concentric trail on upper surface and ground edge; no pontil mark; cup surrounded by six horizontal zigzag trails, which together make hollow spheroid lattice, attached to narrow trail wound one and one-quarter times around wall near top, and thicker trail wound twice around wall near bottom; attached to first and sixth zigzag trails, two opposed handles, each consisting of horizontal U-shaped trail supporting pressed cockleshell, looped vertical trail, pressed cockleshell, horizontal M-shaped trail, and thumb-support; on outside of cup, protected by cage, frieze of three chubby winged cupids, one seated on hillock, others walking towards him with arms outstretched; between them; flowers on leafy stalks, with additional flowers in field, all gilt with scratched details.
Provenance

Source Sergio Sangiorgi (Italian) - 1966

Former Collection H. Hoffmann (French, 1823-1897) - 1881-05
sold at auction via J.M. Heberle, Cologne, No. 1356; purchased from Heberle by Henri Hoffmann, Paris

Former Collection Giorgio Sangiorgi (Italian, 1886-1965)
Rome, between 1914 and 1926–1965

Former Collection Charles Damien Disch (German, 1821-1880)

Former Collection Basilewski
Basilewski, Leningrad, after 1881–before 1914-1926