Glass handkerchief bowl
Translucent blue green; trail in same color.
Vertical, rounded, thickened rim; deep body with almost vertical side, then curving in sharply at bottom; low, tubular base ring, made by folding; flat bottom but with low internal kick at center and circular pontil mark.
On body, single trail applied two-thirds down side and wound round and upwards in an irregular spiral six times to rim and then wound down again in a spiral twice, ending near where it began, reduced to faint rib by reheating on upper body; rim crumpled, with eight uneven projecting folds.
Intact; a few large bubbles; small patches of soil encrustation, weathering, and iridescence.
Vessels that have been deliberately worked to create a wavy rim and sides are extremely rare in Roman glassware. This bowl is perhaps the best example known to have survived.
Vertical, rounded, thickened rim; deep body with almost vertical side, then curving in sharply at bottom; low, tubular base ring, made by folding; flat bottom but with low internal kick at center and circular pontil mark.
On body, single trail applied two-thirds down side and wound round and upwards in an irregular spiral six times to rim and then wound down again in a spiral twice, ending near where it began, reduced to faint rib by reheating on upper body; rim crumpled, with eight uneven projecting folds.
Intact; a few large bubbles; small patches of soil encrustation, weathering, and iridescence.
Vessels that have been deliberately worked to create a wavy rim and sides are extremely rare in Roman glassware. This bowl is perhaps the best example known to have survived.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass handkerchief bowl
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: 3rd–4th century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown, trailed, and tooled
- Dimensions: H.: 3 5/8 in. (9.3 cm)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.194.314
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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Roman
3rd century CE
Roman
late 1st–2nd century CE
Roman
ca. 50–80 CE
Ennion
1st half of 1st century CE
Roman
2nd century CE
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