Ancient Roman--Style Skyphos (Two-Handled Wine Cup)

Venice and Murano Glass and Mosaic Company Ltd., active 1872-1877 · ca. 1870s

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.