Images(11)

cup

Object NameSports Cup Depicting Gladiators

ArtistSigned M. Licinius Diceus

Made FromGlass

Date50-100

TechniqueMold-blown, ground

SizeOverall H: 9.6 cm, Diam (max): 8.4 cm

Accession Number57.1.4

Credit LineGift of Arthur A. Houghton, Jr.

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Artisans of Ancient Rome: Production into Art

Glass of the Caesars

Ennion and His Legacy: Mold-Blown Glass From Ancient Rome

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Early mold-blown glasses made in the western Roman Empire include cups and beakers depicting gladiatorial contests and chariot racing. These popular sports drew huge crowds to the amphitheater and the circus. “Sports cups” were blown in two-part molds and decorated with pairs of fighting gladiators or charioteers, identified by inscriptions. Unlike the sophisticated and often deliberately colored products of Ennion, sports cups are relatively crude and made of “natural” green or amber glass. Presumably, they were modestly priced and intended for the mass market. Although some of the gladiators are known to have fought in Italy, the distribution of the cups suggests that many were made in the western provinces. This also implies that the cups were not made to be sold as souvenirs at the events they depict, but to celebrate sporting heroes whom the purchasers may never have seen in action.

Place Made

Roman Empire; possibly Northern Italy; possibly Gaul

Physical DescriptionTransparent yellowish-green glass; mold-blown, three-part mold; rim cracked off and ground. Rim curves outward and upward, ground; short cylindrical neck; rounded shoulder; body tapers towards bottom; flat base with slightly concave center. Mold-blown decoration in three registers: on shoulder, with horizontal rib at bottom, inscription "M LICINIVS/DICEVS F"; narrow, with horizontal rib at bottom, eight animals including hound confronting boars, some separated by tree-like motifs; four gladiators, each identified by name, arranged in pairs; PETRAITES, shield on outstretched left arm, right arm in position to strike, faces PRVDES, who drops his shield and rises his left hand in submission; beside PETRAITES, victor's wreath; ORIES, in attitude similar to that of PETRAITES, stands over fallen CALAMVS, who covers body with shield; beside ORIES, victor's palm frond; on base, three concentric circles in relief.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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