Olive green glass; free blown, applied trailings.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, tastes in glass changed. In areas dominated by the Franks, simpler shapes and decorative styles prevailed. Cutting, engraving, and enameling disappeared. The most sophisticated techniques that survived were performed at the furnace. A cone beaker demonstrates that unsophisticated techniques can produce outstanding results. The horizontal trailing below the rim and the looped threading toward the bottom provide a contrast that complements the form of the glass, which rises sharply from a narrow base and then spreads out gradually toward the top. This object was found in England, but the quality of its workmanship and the find-places of similar pieces show that it was made in Germany or the Low Countries. The form of the cone beaker probably reflects Frankish drinking habits. An emptied glass was immediately taken from the guest and refilled. It often had a vestigial foot - or no foot at all.