Glass hexagonal bottle

ca. 25–50 CE
Not on view
Translucent cobalt blue

Rim folded out, round, and in, then pressed into flaring mouth; cylindrical neck with concave band below rim; downward sloping shoulder; hexagonal body with vertical sides, then cup-shaped below; low base with rounded edge and flat but uneven bottom. Mold seams run from near top of neck, down sides, and meet off-center on bottom.

Decoration in relief in three registers: on shoulder, six downturned rays or pointed petals; on body, six rectangular panels, each decorated at top with a triangular pediment, framed at sides with posts or slender columns, and bordered below by a plain band; in each panel, a different bird perched on or flying over a nest or rock; above the base, twenty-seven upturned tongues.

Complete except for weathering holes in shoulder and top of body; pitting, severe weathering, and some patches of brilliant iridescence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass hexagonal bottle
  • Period: Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
  • Date: ca. 25–50 CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass; blown in a three-part mold
  • Dimensions: H.: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
    Diam.: 3/4 x 1 5/8 in. (1.9 x 4.1 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Anna Palmer Draper, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.43.165
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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