obba

• a beaker, noggin; a decanter: obba poculi genus, quod nunc ubba dicitur. Varro: obbas et Cumanos calices, Non. 146, 8 sq.; cf.: obba poculi genus vel ligneum vel ex sparto. Varro (here follows the passage just cited): idem Epistola ad Marullium: utrum meridie an vesperi libentius ad obbam accedas, Non. 545, 2 sq.; Pers. 5, 148; Tert. Apol. 13. (But in Plin. 18, 7, 10, § 53, the correct read. is phoba, v. Sillig. ad h. l.)

OBBAa bowl either of wood or earthenware, apparently broad at the bottom and narrowing towards the top, used for holding wine, but a cheap ware for common wine (Pers. 5.148). It is said by Gellius (Gell. 16.7) to be a provincialism used by Laberius. From Tertullian, Apol. 13, it appears that it was used also at funeral rites. The shape cannot be regarded as certain. Tertullian need not be speaking precisely of the shape when he says, Quid differt a simpulo obba? There is no clear proof for Rich's theory, that it was pointed at the bottom, and in fact Persius's epithet sessilis, i.e. squat or dumpy with a firm base, rather makes against it: if the reading obbatae cassides, in Apul. Met. 10.234, is correct, we are none the wiser, since we cannot determine the shape of this particular cassis except by deciding that of the obba. (Marquardt, Privatleben, p. 654; Jahn, ad Pers. l. c.)

(ἄμβιξ). A drinking-cup made of earthenware or wood (Pers.v. 148; Varro ap. Non. p. 545 Müll.), and of uncertain shape. The epithet sessilis applied to it by Persius (Conington's “squab noggin”) suggests a vessel with a broad bottom.