Avodah Zarah, Daf Mem Gimmel, Part 6
Introduction
In the mishnah, Rabban Shimon b. Gamaliel says, Those figures that are upon respectable vessels are forbidden. Those that are upon disgraceful vessels are permitted. The Talmud defines what vessels are respectable and which ones are not.
רשב"ג אומר וכו’: איזו הן מכובדין ואיזו הן מבוזין?
אמר רב מכובדין למעלה מן המים מבוזין למטה מן המים
ושמואל אמר אלו ואלו מבוזין הן אלא אלו הן מכובדין שעל השירין ועל הנזמים ועל הטבעות
Rabban Shimon b. Gamaliel etc. Which utensils are respectable and which disgraceful?
Rav said: The respectable are those which [have the figures] above the water, the disgraceful those which have them under the water.
Shmuel said: Both these kinds are to be regarded as disgraceful. Rather, those that are respectable are those which are on bracelets, nose-rings and signet-rings.
Rav refers to eating vessels. If the images are covered by the food or liquid in the bowl, then they are disgraceful, because one covers the idol with food. But if they are above that line, then they are considered respectable, and it is prohibited to make or own them.
But Shmuel thinks that all images on food vessels are disgraceful, which is probably an overly strong word here. Disgraceful here probably means something closer to common not worshipped. For the image to be respectable, i.e. worshipped, it needs to be on some piece of jewelry, items which are accorded a far higher degree of honor.
תניא כוותיה דשמואל מכובדין שעל השירין ועל הנזמים ועל הטבעות מבוזין שעל היורות ועל הקומקמסין ועל מחמי חמים ושעל הסדינין ועל המטפחות
It is taught in agreement with Shmuel: The respectable images are those that are on bracelets, nose-rings and signet-rings; the disgraceful are those on kettles, pots, vessels for boiling water, sheets and towels.
This baraita accords with Shmuel to be respectable, the image must be on a piece of jewelry. Otherwise, the image is just a common decoration.