Arretine Cup

Arretine cup signed by Tigranes, ca. 25 B.C.–10 A.D.; Augustan Roman Terracotta; H. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)

Arrentine ware was made by the Romans and first produced near Arrezo, Italy just before the first century BC.  This ware was mass produced and used for everyday purposes.  An original form was created and then a plaster mold was taken from it.  This mold was used for slip casting enabling efficient production.  Arrentine ware has a very reflective surface finish and was made to look like glass.  The iconography on the exterior registers matched those that would have been on silver plated objects of the time.