Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History

The Metropolitan Museum of Art


    • Cage animal flask, 7th–8th century
    Syria
    Applied glass

    H. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm), Gr. L. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm), Gr. Diam. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm)
    Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Payson, 1969 (69.153)

    During Roman and early Islamic times, a popular type of vessel was a single, double, or quadruple glass cosmetic tube intricately decorated with trailed glass threads. In the Islamic examples, these tubes are carried on the backs of domestic animals, and the trailed threads are meant to imitate wicker baskets or cages protecting the bottle.

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    This work has been published in the Museum's Bulletin or Journal. These articles may or may not represent the most current scholarship.
  • Jenkins, Marilyn. "Islamic Glass: A Brief History." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 44, no. 2 (Autumn, 1986).
    JSTOR | PDF | Supplemental PDFs
    • "Director's Note" PDF
    • "Introduction" PDF
  • Howat, John K. et al. "Reports of the Departments." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, v. 29, no. 1 (Summer, 1970).
    JSTOR | PDF
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  • Cage animal flask, 7th–8th century
    Syria
    Applied glass

    H. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm), Gr. L. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm), Gr. Diam. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm)
    Gift of Mrs. Charles S. Payson, 1969 (69.153)