Images(3)

The Disch Cantharus

Object NameCantharus

Made FromGlass, Gold

Date200-325

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

Glass of the Caesars

Masterpieces of Glass from The Corning Museum of Glass

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

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.

Place Made

Germany, probably Cologne

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

Provenance Remark

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