Glass cosmetic flask with four compartments (kohl tube)
Translucent blue green; handles and trails partly in same color, partly in deep translucent blue, appearing black.
Everted tubular rim, folded over and in; body comprising four tubes, side by side in a rough square shape, made from a single inflated gather by pinching and folding sides vertically to make diaphragm; flat bottom with pontil scar; four handles, applied over tops of vertical trails, drawn up and out, and down, then turned inwards and dropped onto top edge of rim.
Four trails, one on each tube, applied as a pad below rim, drawn down vertically, and trailed off on lower body, decorated with horizontal tooling indents.
Broken and repaired around lower body, weathered chip in rim, and on breaks in tops of handles; pinprick bubbles and blowing striations; dulling, slight pitting, and iridescent weathering.
Everted tubular rim, folded over and in; body comprising four tubes, side by side in a rough square shape, made from a single inflated gather by pinching and folding sides vertically to make diaphragm; flat bottom with pontil scar; four handles, applied over tops of vertical trails, drawn up and out, and down, then turned inwards and dropped onto top edge of rim.
Four trails, one on each tube, applied as a pad below rim, drawn down vertically, and trailed off on lower body, decorated with horizontal tooling indents.
Broken and repaired around lower body, weathered chip in rim, and on breaks in tops of handles; pinprick bubbles and blowing striations; dulling, slight pitting, and iridescent weathering.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass cosmetic flask with four compartments (kohl tube)
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: 4th–5th century CE
- Culture: Roman, Palestine
- Medium: Glass; blown, trailed, and tooled
- Dimensions: Overall: 6 1/2in. (16.5cm)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Museum Accession
- Object Number: X.21.157
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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