It forms part of a known group of similar mould blown beakers from the early-mid 1st century AD which appear to have been used in drinking games to celebrate feats in games, chariot races or gladiatorial contests. Perhaps made in workshops near Sidon, on the Phoenician coast, they have been found in Cyprus, Greece, Sardinia and Panticapaeum in the Crimea.
It comes for sale at Bonhams’ Antiquities sale on July 6 guided at £20,000-30,000 from a US private collection.
Previously part of the celebrated Constable- Maxwell collection of ancient glass sold at Sotheby’s in 1979 and later the British Rail Pension Fund sale (Sotheby’s 1997), it has spent time on loan to both the Victoria and Albert Museum (1980-85) and the Corning Museum of Glass (1985-95).
