Ancient Roman--Style Skyphos (Two-Handled Wine Cup)
ca. 1870s
Medium
Decorative Arts-Glass
Classification
Decorative Arts-Glass
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly
Accession Number
1929.8.147.27
About this artwork
This large drinking vessel replicates a design common in ancient Rome, perhaps courting collectors interested in history and archaeology. Its beautiful swirling colors were likewise chosen in imitation of ancient vessels, such as the small trio nearby in this case. However, the Murano makers of this cup surpassed their ancestors by incorporating a recent innovation: they added sparkling, copper-flecked glass (nicknamed "aventurine") to the molten mixture from which it was cast.
About the Artist
Vincenzo Moretti (Italian|Italian) · 1872 |1835 –1909 |1901
Italian 1872–1909|Italian, 1835–1901