Drinking Cup with Toast

Place of OriginPossibly Italy

Dateabout 50-100 CE

DimensionsH: 2 5/8 in.; W: 2 3/4 in. D: 2 3/4 in. Rim Diam: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Base Diam: 1 5/8 in. (4.0 cm); Rim Thickness: 1/16 in. (.11 cm)

Mediummold-blown glass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.413

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

DescriptionTransparent grayish green glass cup, mold-blown into a three-part mold with vertical seams on either side of the inscription and a disk-shaped base section (MCT VII C). The base has no visible mold seam. The cup has a lightly ground, outsplayed rim; convex sides taper toward a flat, undecorated base with a raised central area (2.2 x 2.4 cm). Near the top is a frieze bordered by a single horizontal ridge above and two below, containing a Greek inscription in relief: ΕΥΦΡΑΙΝΟΥ ΕΦ Ω ΠΑΡΕΙ ("Rejoice in that for which you have come"). Two additional horizontal ridges appear near the base. The relief is crisp. The glass has a natural grayish green tint (10 GY 5/2) and is of medium thin fabric with some weathering.

Label TextInscribed across the body of this drinking cup is a toast in Ancient Greek: "Εὐφραίνου ἐφ' ᾧ πάρει," which can be translated as "Rejoice in that for which you have come" or, more loosely, "Enjoy the moment!" This cheerful sentiment would have been fitting for any meal or social gathering, offering a reminder to savor the company and occasion. Nearly two dozen cups with similar expressions are known today, highlighting the widespread popularity of this design in antiquity.Published ReferencesKisa, Das Glas im Altertume, pp. 721-722.

Richter, Gisela M. A., "The Curtis Collection of Ancient Glass," Art in America, vol. 2, 1914, p. 85, fig. 14.

Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, vol. 9 (1914) p. 26.

"Is the Holy Grail Extant? Cups Used at the Last Supper," Illustrated London News, December 25, 1926, p. 1268, fig. 4.

Harris, J. Rendel, "Glass Chalices of the First Century," Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, Manchester, vol. 2, 1927, p. 291, fig. 4.

Harden, Donald B., "Romano-Syrian Glasses with Mould-blown Inscriptions," Journal of Roman Studies, vol. 25,1935, p. 175, Group G 2a.

Stern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-Blown Glass: The First Through Sixth Centuries, Rome, Italy, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider in association with the Toledo Museum of Art, 1995, cat. no. 6, pp. 102-103.

Riefstahl, Rudolph M., "Ancient and Near Eastern Glass," Toledo Museum News, Spring 1961, New Series, vol. 4, no. 2, (also published as Ancient and Near Eastern Glass).

Labino, Dominick, Visual Art in Glass, Dubuque, IA, 1968, p. 21, repr. fig. 8.