Barrel-Shaped Cup Signed by Neikais
Date: Probably mid-first century
Dimensions:
H: 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm); Rim Diam: 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); Base Diam: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); Max Diam: 2 13/16 in. (7.08 cm); Rim Thickness: (0.07cm)
Medium: Mold-blown transparent green glass.
Place of Origin: Probably Syro-Palestinian, coastal region
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1930.5
Label Text:This cup bears the Greek inscriptions Neikais epoesen (Neikais made [it]) and Mnesthe ho agorasas (May the buyer be remembered). It was blown into a complicated three-part mold, the seams visible on the cup. Neikais, possibly a female name, may be one of the very few women from antiquity known to have been involved in glass production.
DescriptionTransparent natural grayish green tint (10 GY 5/2). Thin glass. Pinprick and small spherical bubbles, vertically elongated toward rim.
Blown into a three-part mold with two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V E). Vertical mold seams from rim through palm fronds to central ridge of the series of three ridges below the inscription.
Outsplayed unworked rim with constriction below. Barrel-shaped body. Flat base with circular depression around central boss.
At greatest diameter of body, frieze with an inscription in Greek and palm leaves, bordered by two horizontal ridges above and three horizontal ridges below. Near base, two fainter horizontal ridges. Diametrically opposed vertical palm leaves frame the inscription, which is arranged in two parts of two lines each: [NEIKAIC/EIIOHCEN] (Neikais epoesen), "Neikais made (it)," on one side and on the other [MNHCOH/O ATOPACAC] (mnesthe ho agorasas), "May the buyer be remembered."
Transparent natural grayish green tint (10 GY 5/2).
Signed by Neikais
Blown into a three-part mold with two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V E). Vertical mold seams from rim through palm fronds to central ridge of the series of three ridges below the inscription.
Outsplayed unworked rim with constriction below. Barrel-shaped body. Flat base with circular depression around central boss.
At greatest diameter of body, frieze with an inscription in Greek and palm leaves, bordered by two horizontal ridges above and three horizontal ridges below. Near base, two fainter horizontal ridges. Diametrically opposed vertical palm leaves frame the inscription, which is arranged in two parts of two lines each: NEIKAI% / EPOH%EN, (Neikais epoesen), "Neikais made (it)," on one side and on the other MNH%YH / O AGORA%A% (mnesthe ho agorasas), "May the buyer be remembered."
Blown into a three-part mold with two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V E). Vertical mold seams from rim through palm fronds to central ridge of the series of three ridges below the inscription.
Outsplayed unworked rim with constriction below. Barrel-shaped body. Flat base with circular depression around central boss.
At greatest diameter of body, frieze with an inscription in Greek and palm leaves, bordered by two horizontal ridges above and three horizontal ridges below. Near base, two fainter horizontal ridges. Diametrically opposed vertical palm leaves frame the inscription, which is arranged in two parts of two lines each: [NEIKAIC/EIIOHCEN] (Neikais epoesen), "Neikais made (it)," on one side and on the other [MNHCOH/O ATOPACAC] (mnesthe ho agorasas), "May the buyer be remembered."
Transparent natural grayish green tint (10 GY 5/2).
Signed by Neikais
Blown into a three-part mold with two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V E). Vertical mold seams from rim through palm fronds to central ridge of the series of three ridges below the inscription.
Outsplayed unworked rim with constriction below. Barrel-shaped body. Flat base with circular depression around central boss.
At greatest diameter of body, frieze with an inscription in Greek and palm leaves, bordered by two horizontal ridges above and three horizontal ridges below. Near base, two fainter horizontal ridges. Diametrically opposed vertical palm leaves frame the inscription, which is arranged in two parts of two lines each: NEIKAI% / EPOH%EN, (Neikais epoesen), "Neikais made (it)," on one side and on the other MNH%YH / O AGORA%A% (mnesthe ho agorasas), "May the buyer be remembered."
Not on view
In Collection(s)