fragment
Object NameBeaker with Extra Fragment
Made FromGlass
Date1175-1225
Place MadeEastern Mediterranean
TechniqueBlown, gilded, enameled, scratched
SizeOverall H: 22.3 cm; Rim Estimate Diam: 7 cm
Accession Number67.1.20
Credit LineGift of Wilhelm Henrich
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes, and Peasants
Not On View
Physical DescriptionTransparent deep blue glass with numerous bubbles, some very dark brown inclusions, and few dark blue and brown streamers; blown, gilded, enameled, scratched. The rim is plain, with a rounded lip; the wall (Th. 0.1-0.15) is straight, tapering slightly and curving in at the bottom; the base is plain, with colorless pontil mark (D. 1.1 cm). The surviving decoration was executed in gold applied in suspension and enamel, which is now pale yellow. It consists of one continuous horizontal line below the rim, the remains of three horizontal rows of roundels arranged in a quincunx, and a continuous horizontal border at the bottom of the wall. Each band contained three contiguous roundels (D. 6.0-6.5 cm), all of which have borders comprising three concentric circles and, at the center, a single plump bird standing in profile with its head up and wings folded. Details such as the eyes, the outlines of the wings, and the feathers were scratched through the gilding. Although the birds are similar, they are shown in three different attitudes: (1) standing to the right and looking forward, (2) standing to the left and looking forward, and (3) standing to the right with its head turned to look over its shoulder. The birds in the top and bottom rows of roundels are arranged (from left to right) in the order 1, 2, 3; and those in the middle row (beginning between 1 and 2 in the top and bottom rows) are in the order 3, 1, and 2. In front of each bird is a row of crosses and stars and behind it an arabesque. The border at the bottom of the wall consists of two continuous horizontal lines containing zigzag, which divides the space between the lines into some 16 identical triangles filled with arabesques. The spaces between the line at top of wall, the roundels and the border at the bottom of the wall are also filled with arabesques.Provenance
Source
Wilhelm Henrich
- 1967
