Glass pyxis (box with lid)
Both lid and pyxis in opaque white, but heavily devitrified.
Lid domed, tapering downward to fine horizontal rim with flat edge on underside; integral circular knob handle at top, with convex upper surface and concave pedestal below. Outsplayed, slightly inward-sloping rim to pyxis, with inner recessed shoulder on which flat edge of lid rests; low, cylindrical body, with vertical sides and outsplayed bottom edge; almost flat bottom, with a broad, concave, concentric band around the edge.
On exterior of lid, three fine concentric raised lines, one around base of knob handle, one on lower part of side, and the third towards edge. On exterior of pyxis, molding band at top and bottom of side, and on bottom, a raised circle around inner edge of concave band and another around dot at center.
Both lid and pyxis intact, but some chips in rim to lid; deep pitting, brilliant iridescence, and patches of thick black weathering on underside of lid and exterior of bottom of pyxis.
Although this vessel is without an exact parallel, its elegant shape and fine carving strongly indicate that it is of Hellenistic manufacture, even though the use of opaque white glass is better attested among cast vessels of the early Roman glass industry. It is probably modeled on similar marble pyxides.
Lid domed, tapering downward to fine horizontal rim with flat edge on underside; integral circular knob handle at top, with convex upper surface and concave pedestal below. Outsplayed, slightly inward-sloping rim to pyxis, with inner recessed shoulder on which flat edge of lid rests; low, cylindrical body, with vertical sides and outsplayed bottom edge; almost flat bottom, with a broad, concave, concentric band around the edge.
On exterior of lid, three fine concentric raised lines, one around base of knob handle, one on lower part of side, and the third towards edge. On exterior of pyxis, molding band at top and bottom of side, and on bottom, a raised circle around inner edge of concave band and another around dot at center.
Both lid and pyxis intact, but some chips in rim to lid; deep pitting, brilliant iridescence, and patches of thick black weathering on underside of lid and exterior of bottom of pyxis.
Although this vessel is without an exact parallel, its elegant shape and fine carving strongly indicate that it is of Hellenistic manufacture, even though the use of opaque white glass is better attested among cast vessels of the early Roman glass industry. It is probably modeled on similar marble pyxides.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass pyxis (box with lid)
- Period: Hellenistic
- Date: 3rd–1st century BCE
- Culture: Greek
- Medium: Glass; cast and cut
- Dimensions: H. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm)
diameter 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm) - Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1959
- Object Number: 59.11.7a, b
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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