A Roman cup that changes colour

The Lycurgus Cup changing colour as the light moves — Cal Paterson; seven-second excerpt of his British Museum demonstration.

The whole Lycurgus Cup under reflected light — Johnbod / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

The whole Lycurgus Cup with light passing through it — Johnbod / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

This Roman cup changes colour when you move the light.

Light reflected from it: green. Light passing through it: red.

Tiny particles of gold and silver in the glass create the effect. The Lycurgus Cup was made in the 4th century.

The Lycurgus Cup changing colour as the light moves — Cal Paterson; seven-second excerpt of his British Museum demonstration.
https://askpandi.com/media/editorial/curiosity-batch-two-2026-10-02/b9a6ba8c51bec852-cup-light-change.gif
The whole Lycurgus Cup under reflected light — Johnbod / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
https://askpandi.com/media/editorial/curiosity-batch-two-2026-10-02/fbef474734b84beb-cup-green.jpg
The whole Lycurgus Cup with light passing through it — Johnbod / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
https://askpandi.com/media/editorial/curiosity-batch-two-2026-10-02/91531dab43d61530-cup-red.jpg

A Roman cup that changes colour

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