Beaker

This gracefully formed solid gold beaker illustrates the extravagant taste of wealthy Romans. In the classical world, gold represented both divine and secular power, and its display symbolized authority and status.

Distinguished by a subtle convex shape that rises from its small foot and ends with a slightly flared rim, this vessel was clearly made by a highly skilled artisan. A measurement of weight is inscribed on the underside of the beaker’s foot : P II L I, an abbreviation for P[ondo] II, sescuncia I, which equals two pounds one sescuncia, or 24.54 ounces. This differs slightly from the actual weight of the vase, suggesting that it originally had a lid.

The earliest publication of the beaker reports its discovery by sponge-divers at Cape Krio, near the ruins of ancient Knidos (on the coast of south-west Turkey).