83. Vessel Fragment, Probably a Skyphos

Condition

Upper body fragment.

Description

Rim slightly flaring, flat at the top; body conical with mildly convex sides. On the interior there is a horizontal groove, 0.3 cm below the rim. On the exterior of the preserved fragment, part of a male head can be seen, namely, the left eye, the forehead, and the upper part of the head, which is covered with the short, slightly curved locks of a Julio-Claudian style. The upper part of the head is covered with blue glass that seems as if it was spilled over the relief of the hair. On this area a rectangular, almost square (W. 1.5, H. 1.2 cm) sign of abrasion is visible. This must have been the beginning of the handle of the vessel, which was probably a skyphos. When the handle of the vessel was broken, its stump was ground to the surface of the remaining vessel and then it was repurposed.

Comments and Comparanda

See comments on cat. 82.

Provenance

By 1974–1988, Erwin Oppenländer, 1901–1988 (Waiblingen, Germany), by inheritance to his son, Gert Oppenländer, 1988; 1988–2003, Gert Oppenländer (Waiblingen, Germany), sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2003

Bibliography

von Saldern et al. 1974, p. 122, no. 327; p. 123, plate no. 327.

Exhibitions

Reflecting Antiquity: Modern Glass Inspired by Ancient Rome (Malibu, 2007–2008; Corning, 2008)

Gläser der Antike: Sammlung Erwin Oppenländer (Hamburg and Cologne, 1974–1975)