Blue Glass Amphoriskos from Pompeii
So-called Blue Vase (small amphora). Cameo glass from Pompeii, mid-1st century AD
Discovered at Pompeii on December 29, 1837, in the presence of King Ferdinand II, the Blue Vase is regarded by many to be the Naples National Archaeological Museum‘s most prized possession.
The Blue Vase is said to have been found in Tomb 8, accessed from the garden of the House of the Mosaic Columns, during a Royal visit to the excavations of Pompeii. Some have suggested it was planted to impress the noble visitors. Apparently, it was not uncommon for excavators to inhume their finds and wait for an opportune time to unearth the treasure in order to keep their patrons excited and the funds coming in.
Rear of Tomb 8 in garden of House of the Mosaic Columns, Pompeii.
Location of Tomb 8 in garden of House of the Mosaic Columns, Pompeii.
Roman Cameo
Extremely fragile, Imperial Roman cameo glass vases are terrifically rare; only a handful survive. Perhaps the most famous specimen is the Barberini or Portland Vase in the British Museum.
They were created by fusing different coloured layers of glass together in a furnace. After cooling, the top layer of glass was carved away, creating designs that stand out from the contrasting background. As with the Blue Vase, the most common color combination was the use of an opaque white over a translucent cobalt blue.
Description
Beneath each handle of the Blue Vase are groups of putti, the iconography depicts one group harvesting grapes and the other pressing the grapes for winemaking, both being accompanied by putti playing musical instruments. Separating the two scenes are highly elaborate grape vines bearing clusters of fruit, tendrils and birds. The vines appear to be springing like antlers from the head of Silenus, on the one side and on the other the younger face of his trusty companion, Dionysus, the god of wine. At the very bottom of the Vase, the artist, who created this amazing vase, masterfully presents a series of animals feeding on grass and shrubs, in between white, thin, horizontal, lines. Fittingly, the glass vessel takes the shape of a small wine amphora (Amphoriskos).
Undoubtedly the work of master craftsmen, this priceless masterpiece is truly a wonder to behold. What an accomplishment on a small scale!
Harvesting the grape.
Pressing the grape.
Silenus foster father of Dionysus.
Dionysus the god of wine.
Harvesting detail.
Pressing detail.