CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

This vase was discovered in excavations in 1933 at the Gallo-Roman necropolis at Soings-en-Sologne, Loir-et-Cher, France, a known site for over two hundred years, first written about in 1844 by Louis de la Saussaye, who partially explored it in 1821. In 1933, Dr. Pierre Filloux, a young medical doctor and amateur archaeologist, learned of the necropolis from his father, and paid for a team of workmen to excavate the cemetery, hoping to uncover its secrets. He discovered over 500 tombs and around 1,200 objects, including a fine array of late Roman glassware, of which this cup is an example.
The excavation was written about in the Miroir du Monde (November 1933) and the New York Times (December 1933). A series of postcards printed in 1933 and featuring images of the local area even included images of the excavation, as well as images of objects discovered, amongst them the present cup.