Glass double head-shaped flask
Translucent pale green, with same color handle and trail.
Rounded and thickened rim; flaring mouth; cylindrical neck; body in the shape of a double head; irregular thick bottom, with central kick and traces of pontil scar; broad strap handle with combed outer surface attached to side of head above proper left ear, drawn up and slightly outward, then turned in and down, and trailed in folds onto underside of mouth and rim over trail decoration. A continuous mold seam runs from the base of neck, down body, and across bottom.
On underside of mouth, a single thick horizontal trail; janiform body comprising two similar youthful heads, each with his ears, back to back: short-cropped, curly hair, circular, rather stylized ears with pendant earrings (?), broad forehead, high arched eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes with indented pupils, chubby cheeks, open mouth showing teeth, and small prominent chin.
Complete, except for large hole on nose of one head and small internal crack near base of neck; many bubbles, some elongated in neck, black impurities in handle, and blowing striations; dulling and iridescence on exterior, some soli encrustation and creamy white weathering on interior.
A number of similar large flasks in the form of two heads are known from sites in northeastern France and the Rhineland. Most show the faces with long curly hair that covers the ears. Here, however, the maker gave the heads short hair, and so two pairs of ears are visible, making for a rather odd effect when seen from the side.
Rounded and thickened rim; flaring mouth; cylindrical neck; body in the shape of a double head; irregular thick bottom, with central kick and traces of pontil scar; broad strap handle with combed outer surface attached to side of head above proper left ear, drawn up and slightly outward, then turned in and down, and trailed in folds onto underside of mouth and rim over trail decoration. A continuous mold seam runs from the base of neck, down body, and across bottom.
On underside of mouth, a single thick horizontal trail; janiform body comprising two similar youthful heads, each with his ears, back to back: short-cropped, curly hair, circular, rather stylized ears with pendant earrings (?), broad forehead, high arched eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes with indented pupils, chubby cheeks, open mouth showing teeth, and small prominent chin.
Complete, except for large hole on nose of one head and small internal crack near base of neck; many bubbles, some elongated in neck, black impurities in handle, and blowing striations; dulling and iridescence on exterior, some soli encrustation and creamy white weathering on interior.
A number of similar large flasks in the form of two heads are known from sites in northeastern France and the Rhineland. Most show the faces with long curly hair that covers the ears. Here, however, the maker gave the heads short hair, and so two pairs of ears are visible, making for a rather odd effect when seen from the side.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass double head-shaped flask
- Period: Late Roman, Constantinian
- Date: 1st half of 4th century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown in a two-part mold and trailed
- Dimensions: H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881
- Object Number: 81.10.223
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Roman
3rd century CE
Roman
late 1st–2nd century CE
Roman
ca. 50–80 CE
Ennion
1st half of 1st century CE
Roman
2nd century CE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.