Cup with Human Mask Decoration

This cup was blown from reddish purple glass and then formed in a two-part mold. There was no base mold and the base is hollowed with a pontil mark. The free-blown neck rises up vertically and the base of that neck and the rim of the mouth are surrounded by decorative pale green colored glass threads. This body has four human masks shown in relief and set into medallion frames. The long faces have radiating hair growing from them. Thirteen plant motifs are shown in relief between the lower edges of the medallions. This cup would probably have been used to drink water or other liquids.