Bell Beaker (Sturzbecher) with Trailed Decoration

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Bell Beaker (Sturzbecher) with Trailed Decoration

Place of OriginLikely Germany or France

Date6th-7th century

Dimensions4 5/8 × 3 1/4 in. (11.7 × 8.3 cm)

Mediumglass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Dr. Richard H. Edmondson

Object number

1982.186

Not on View

DescriptionA thin-walled, free-blown beaker of transparent yellowish-gray glass. The vessel features a rounded, thickened rim and an inverted conical upper body that flares outward toward a carinated (sharply angled) lower body. The base is convex and terminates in a solid, applied knob (button) of opaque white glass. Decoration consists of fine opaque white threads trailed horizontally: a band of approximately four revolutions creates a thickened effect at the rim, and a second band of six revolutions spirals down the upper body.

Label TextThis delicate glass beaker, known as a Sturzbecher (spill-vase) or "bell beaker," was the center of a Frankish social ritual. Because of its rounded, pointed bottom, it cannot stand on its own. Once filled with wine or beer, the user had to hold it until it was empty, or drink the contents in a single draft before placing it upside down on a table.Published References"The Krug Collection of Glass Part II," Sotheby's, London, December 7, 1981, lot 238.

Effros, Bonnie, "Art of the 'Dark Ages': Showing Merovingian artifacts in North American Public and Private Collections," Journal of the History of Collections, vol. 17, no. 1, 2005, repr., p. 97, p. 110, no. 100.

Comparative Referencescf. Harden 1971 (ArchJ) pp. 89-90, Harden 1956 (Fest leeds) pp. 140-141 where he classifies beakers like this one as Type Aii dating late 5th - early 6th c. A.D. Parallel: Harden 1956, pl. XVI, K. from Favershalm, Kent. j Smith 1957 no. 439; Vanderhoeven 1958 pp. 71-72, nos. 77-78, pl. xxi, Doppelfield 1966, no. 178 in Cologne.