Cantharus to Deo Invicto of Trier

TNMM 404

This cantharus was discovered in 1917 during archaeological excavations undertaken at the riverbank near St. Matthias's Abbey, in the southern sector of Augusta Treverorum, in the province of Gallia Belgica. Formed with two handles and a narrow foot, this drinking vessel features a painted decor of white barbotine which forms four horizontal bands of alternating dots and arrows. On the large neck runs a painted dedication addressed to the invincible god (Deo invicto), Mithras. The cantharus is reminiscent of the crater that often appears in tauroctony scenes collecting the blood from the slaughtered animal.

This cup points to the production of luxury ceramics with metallescent slip characteristic of the potters of Augusta Treverorum in the second half of the 3rd century C.E. These vessels are recognizable from their decoration of white barbotine, which was a mixture of clay and water, sometimes enhanced with an orange colour. Ceramics typically take on a black colour at the time of their firing, though this is not the case here: the irregular reddish-brown colour of the surface is due to poor air regulation during the baking process.

A characteristicfeature of ceramic production in Gallia Belgica was the presence of Latin graffiti on certain vessels, often inviting one to feast and enjoy life. One can thus read 'I drink to your health!' ' (propino tibi) or 'Drink as much as you can!' (bibe cum possis). Such 'talking vessels could have been used for multiple occasions and are thus found in many contexts. Several examples of this have been found in the Mithraeum at Tienen, in Germania Inferior, where they would have been used during banquets that brought together a large number of participants.