Glass, vessel, beaker

This is one of several glass fragments found in a chalk-lined cesspit in the goldsmiths' quarter of London. Altogether, at least eight vessels were found in the cesspit, all beakers for wine, decorated in coloured enamel. The designs include figures of saints, a pelican, and shields. On this example is an inscription around the rim: '...STERBA...', part of the maker's name, 'Master Bartholomew'. The glasses were probably made in Venice, intended for export. Venetian records contain references to a man of this name, a 'painter of glasses', who was working in Venice between 1290 and 1325.