The Lycurgus cup - right side
Late Roman Empire, from AD 300s, this ‘cage-cup’ is incredibly rare and the most complete ancient example of dichroic glass. This type of glass contains tiny amounts of gold and silver nanoparticles which cause it to turn from opaque green to translucent red when light is shone through. It may have been part of a wealthy Roman's banqueting set, making its imagery of Dionysus, Greek god of wine, highly appropriate. Its green and red qualities may even have been intended to evoke white and red wine. Alternatively, it may have been used as a lamp - the gilded silver rim and foot were probably added in the late 1700s.
Here we see a satyr with a wooden shepherd’s crook (pedum), his right arm held up and back, about to fling a rock at King Lycurgus. A woman on the ground may be Ambrosia, a follower of Dionysus who Lycurgus tried to have killed. She was instead transformed into a grape vine, entwining Lycurgus and leading to his death. Here, it does look as if the grape vine is wrapped around her upheld wrist.
British Museum (1958,1202.1)
The Lycurgus cup - right side
Late Roman Empire, from AD 300s, this ‘cage-cup’ is incredibly rare and the most complete ancient example of dichroic glass. This type of glass contains tiny amounts of gold and silver nanoparticles which cause it to turn from opaque green to translucent red when light is shone through. It may have been part of a wealthy Roman's banqueting set, making its imagery of Dionysus, Greek god of wine, highly appropriate. Its green and red qualities may even have been intended to evoke white and red wine. Alternatively, it may have been used as a lamp - the gilded silver rim and foot were probably added in the late 1700s.
Here we see a satyr with a wooden shepherd’s crook (pedum), his right arm held up and back, about to fling a rock at King Lycurgus. A woman on the ground may be Ambrosia, a follower of Dionysus who Lycurgus tried to have killed. She was instead transformed into a grape vine, entwining Lycurgus and leading to his death. Here, it does look as if the grape vine is wrapped around her upheld wrist.
British Museum (1958,1202.1)