Archaeological Museum of Bologna

The term "golden glasses" or "gold funds" indicates the decorations that, towards the end of the third, but especially during the fourth century AD, adorned the bottom of cups or glasses, used for the table or as luxury items.

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The golden leaf between two pieces of glass can have different representions: portraits of people, myths, gods, christian characters, Christ and others. There are  also inscriptions with the name of the subject, messages, and they were used as gifts in celebrations, religious or public events. Large part of them come from christian catacombs where they indicated the owner of the tomb. This ancient habit permits their conservation until nowadays. This specimen, still set in the chalk that allowed it to be used to seal a burial cell, shows a frontal image of two youths; underneath there is a Greek message of good wishes pie zeses, which means “Drink, you will live”.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: First quarter of 4th century AD
Material: Blue gilt glass, set in a chalk slab
Dimensions: diametro cm 5,8
Inventory #: pcr 3