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Glass double cosmetic flask (kohl tube)

4th century CE
Not on view
Translucent blue-green; handles and trail in translucent deep turquoise blue.

Rim folded out, round, in, and down sides of neck; body comprising two tubes, side by side, made from a single inflated gather by pinching sides vertically to make diaphragm; pontil mark on bottom; basket handle made from three separate rods, two attached to side of body over trail, drawn up and outward, then turned sharply in and dropped onto rim, the third rod then applied to top of one handle, drawn up and down in an curved arch, and attached to top of other handle.

Single fine trail applied as a pad near bottom of body, drawn in a spiral first downwards and then upwards fourteen times around body, ending below rim.

Intact, except for parts of trail on body; many pinprick bubbles; pitting, thick creamy weathering, and brilliant iridescence; one small patch of bronze (?) accretion on side of handle at rim.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass double cosmetic flask (kohl tube)
  • Period: Late Imperial
  • Date: 4th century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass
  • Dimensions: H.: 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Gift of Elias Kempner, 1934
  • Object Number: 34.132.49
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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