Glass amphoriskos (perfume bottle)

Period:
Classical
Date:
late 6th–5th century B.C.
Culture:
Greek, Eastern Mediterranean
Medium:
Glass; core-formed, Group I
Dimensions:
H. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm)
Classification:
Glass
Credit Line:
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number:
91.1.1239
  • Description

    Opaque white, with handles and knob-base in same color; trails in translucent purple.
    Broad, inward-sloping oval rim-disk with radiating tool marks on upper surface and small mouth; tall cylindrical neck tapering upward; broad, sloping shoulder; elongated ovoid body tapering to a point; slanting circular base-knob with rounded edge and flat bottom; two vertical strap handles applied at top of shoulder, drawn up vertically, turned in, and pressed on to underside of rim-disk and top of neck.
    One uneven trail attached at edge of rim-disk; another trail wound round in an uneven spiral on shoulder, then tooled into a zigzag pattern on upper body, with twenty-two deep vertical tooling indents; a third trail applied to lower body, also tooled into an irregular zigzag pattern; finally, a fourth trail applied around edge and underside of knob-base.
    Complete, but part of rim-disk broken and repaired, leaving one large chip and smaller hole; internal cracks in body; dulling, pitting, and faint iridescence.

  • References

    Neuberg, F. 1949. Glass in Antiquity. London: Art Trade Press, no. 13, pl. V.

  • See also
    What
    Where
    When
    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
130006104

Close