Glass bottle in the shape of an animal
Translucent pale yellow green; handle, applied bits, and trail of uncertain color.
Vessel shaped to resemble a quadruped. Rounded, thickened rim with slightly outsplayed lip; tubular neck that curves down and round with tooling indent at base; sloping shoulder; small cylindrical body, tooled in to form separate globular section for head; thick irregular bottom, tooled out to form mouth; small squared loop handle applied to side of body.
Trail wound seven times in a spiral around neck; four short legs with pinched feet applied to body; two long applied bits on head for ears, and two small blobs for eyes. Handle on animal's back for suspension.
One section of trail on neck, one ear, and part of mouth missing, all with weathered breaks; dulling, pitting, and iridescence on body, with thick creamy iridescent weathering on applied handle, bits, and trail.
Considerable time and effort have been taken to transform this utilitarian bottle into an amusing work of art. The vessel’s body is in the shape of an animal’s head and body, and the neck has been fashioned as its upturned tail. Ears and feet have been added as decoration, and a loop for suspension rests atop the back of this diminutive creature, which may be identified as the edible dormouse, a delicacy much loved by the Romans.
Vessel shaped to resemble a quadruped. Rounded, thickened rim with slightly outsplayed lip; tubular neck that curves down and round with tooling indent at base; sloping shoulder; small cylindrical body, tooled in to form separate globular section for head; thick irregular bottom, tooled out to form mouth; small squared loop handle applied to side of body.
Trail wound seven times in a spiral around neck; four short legs with pinched feet applied to body; two long applied bits on head for ears, and two small blobs for eyes. Handle on animal's back for suspension.
One section of trail on neck, one ear, and part of mouth missing, all with weathered breaks; dulling, pitting, and iridescence on body, with thick creamy iridescent weathering on applied handle, bits, and trail.
Considerable time and effort have been taken to transform this utilitarian bottle into an amusing work of art. The vessel’s body is in the shape of an animal’s head and body, and the neck has been fashioned as its upturned tail. Ears and feet have been added as decoration, and a loop for suspension rests atop the back of this diminutive creature, which may be identified as the edible dormouse, a delicacy much loved by the Romans.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass bottle in the shape of an animal
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: ca. 3rd century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown and trailed
- Dimensions: Other: 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.194.139
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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