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Swan-Neck Bottle (Ashkdan)

19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
The distinct tear-shaped opening at the top of this amber-toned bottle was carefully tooled while the glass was still molten, and flows into a thin, curvilinear neck, before expanding to a globular body resting on a low foot. The visual resemblance to the curved and attenuated neck of a swan has inspired the name of these types of bottles, but according to folklore, these bottles were used as "containers for tears," (ashkdan) meant to collect the sorrows of wives separated from their husbands.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Swan-Neck Bottle (Ashkdan)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, possibly Shiraz
  • Medium: Glass; dip molded, blown, folded foot
  • Dimensions: H. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm)
    Max. Diam 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.1577
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Swan-Neck Glass Bottle, Glass, blue; dip-molded, blown, folded foot
Swan-Neck Glass Bottle
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Dragon-Handled Jug with Inscription, Brass; cast and turned, engraved, and inlaid with silver, gold, and black organic compound
Dragon-Handled Jug with Inscription
early 16th century
Pocket bottle, American Flint Glass Manufactory American, Blown pattern-molded glass, American
Pocket bottle
Attributed to American Flint Glass Manufactory
Attributed to Henry William Stiegel
1769–74
Dish with Two Intertwined Dragons, Stonepaste; painted in blue under transparent glaze
Dish with Two Intertwined Dragons
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