Blue vase

Blue vase

The vase, decorated with the technique of glass-cameo, is shaped like a wine amphora. The body of the vase is illustrated with a grape harvest scene. On one side, immediately below the ribbed handle, a cupid places large bunches into a vat where another cupid, holding a thyrsus clearly in view, is engaged in treading the grapes. The scene is framed by two large low columns upon which sit two cupids who accompany the intense activity by playing the pan pipes and double flute. On the opposite side is a kline upon which two cupids are lying down, one of whom plays a lyre; on two similar columns, a cupid is harvesting grapes while another holds a bunch of grapes in his hand and a wicker basket already full of grapes. The space between the two scenes is covered by lush vine shoots which emerge from an elaborate central rosette, with vine leaves, bunches of grapes and birds associated with Silenus masks. Below a thin horizontal line, which marks out a sort of exergue, there is a series of grazing animals and shrubs.