CHAPTER XIII.
Anglo-Saxon Period—Glass Vessels—Drinking-glasses—Tumblers—Ale-glasses—Beads—Necklaces—Ear-rings—Coins, etc.
The glass vessels found in the grave-mounds of the Anglo-Saxon period are principally drinking-cups of different forms, and decanter-shaped vessels, which are closely analogous in shape to our common glass toilet water-bottles. The Anglo-Saxons are supposed by most writers to have derived their knowledge of the art of glass-making from their Roman predecessors, but of this more proof is wanting. So very different in most of its characteristics is the Saxon glass from the Roman, that it is difficult to believe that the one is but an imitation of the other. The forms are in many instances similar to those found in Frankish graves, and it is certain that the art was practised simultaneously in the Saxon period in Germany, France, and our own country. The drinking-cups of glass were formed either rounded or pointed at the bottom, so that they could not stand, and thus when filled the liquor was obliged to be drunk off before the cup could be set down inverted on the table. From this circumstance our modern name for drinking-glasses—tumblers—takes its origin, although not now in the original sense, our present “tumblers” being particularly safe and firm when set on the table, and not necessitating the whole of the contents being quaffed at once. Figs. [353] and [354] exhibit two drinking-glasses of this kind, the first of which is ribbed. They are from the Kentish graves. [Fig. 355] is a glass cup from Cow-Low, Derbyshire, found by the late Mr. Bateman, and which, from the care which had been taken in enclosing it in a wooden box, must have been no little prized by the deceased lady. The cup, of thick green glass, a bone comb, some small instruments of iron, a piece of perforated bone, and a necklace with pendant ornaments, with other articles, were found enclosed in a box, or casket, made of ash wood, half an inch in thickness, with two hinges and a small lock, which had, when placed in the grave, been carefully wrapped in woollen cloth. The interment was in many respects a highly interesting one. A cup of similar form is shown on [fig. 358], and other examples of glasses are shown on the same group.
Fig. 353.
Fig. 354.
Fig. 355.
