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beaker
beaker

beaker

Object NameBeaker
Made FromGlass, Gilding, Enamel
Date1175-1225
Place MadeEastern Mediterranean
Techniqueblown, gilded, enameled, scratched
SizeOverall H: 22 cm; Rim Diam: 7 cm
Accession Number67.1.19
Credit LineGift of Wilhelm Henrich
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes, and Peasants
On ViewThe Jerome and Lucille Strauss Study Gallery
Interpretive Notes
This blue beaker has been fully restored with fills that match the color and translucency of the original glass. Since almost all of the fragments from the middle section are missing, the fills provide necessary structural support for this beaker. Without them, the top and bottom sections could not be displayed as one object. Even though tiny losses still exist, this beaker was restored to look complete. Blue is one of the most difficult colors to match because fills can be a perfect match in sunlight but look completely different under artificial light. Luckily, the casting and molding process used to make these fills lets the conservators easily recast fills as often as needed in order to get a nearly perfect color match.
Physical DescriptionTransparent deep blue glass with numerous bubbles, some dark brown inclusions, and few dark blue streamers; blown, gilded, enameled, scratched. The rim is plain, with rounded lip; the wall (Th. 0.1 cm) is straight, tapering slightly and curving in at the bottom; the base is plain, with a circular pontil mark (D. 1.3 cm). The surviving decoration was executed in gold applied in suspension and enamel. It consists of one continuous horizontal border below the rim and the remains of three horizontal bands of roundels arranged in a quincunx. Each band contained three contiguous roundels, all of which have borders comprising two concentric circles that enclose one concentric ring of small open circles and two additional concentric circles, and has 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 are 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 row of roundels are arranged (from left to right) in the order 1, 2, 3; those in the bottom row are presumed to have the same order, although 2 is missing; and those in the middle row (beginning between 1 and 2 in the top and bottom rows) are presumed to have been in the order 3, 1, 2 (none survives). In front of each bird is row of crosses and stars, and behind it an arabesque.
Provenance
Source Wilhelm Henrich - 1964-03-18
fragment
fragment
1175-1225
beaker
beaker
800-999
canteen
canteen
800-999
pitcher
pitcher
975-1025
fragment
fragment
1275-1299
tankard
tankard
about 1710-1712