Date-shaped Bottle
Date: Mid-first to early second century
Dimensions:
H: 2 11/16 in. (6.9 cm); Rim Diam: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); Base Diam: 1 3/16 in. (3.0 cm)
Medium: glass
Place of Origin: Phoenicia
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1923.2418
Label Text:The date palm tree was one of the prized plants of the Mediterranean world as its fruit was so useful and delicious—even the pits were used for fuel. First made in the Roman Imperial period, glass vessels in the shape of dried dates were incredibly popular for holding perfume or medicines.
Most likely, a real dried fruit was used to make a mold of clay or plaster and then glass was blown into the mold to create the vessel. The neck and rim would have been tooled and added to the body. These objects were often included in burials as personal items for the deceased.
Most likely, a real dried fruit was used to make a mold of clay or plaster and then glass was blown into the mold to create the vessel. The neck and rim would have been tooled and added to the body. These objects were often included in burials as personal items for the deceased.
DescriptionTranslucent to transparent manganese colored glass. Thin glass. Fabric cannot be determined because of weathering.
Rim tooled. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections. One continuous mold seam around body, very pronounced extends onto both sides of neck (MCT VIII).
Everted rim, rounded in flame. Short flaring neck. Body shaped like a date with a nearly circular cross section.
Indistinct relief pattern of wavy ridges and hooks, imitating the wrinkles in the skin of a ripe date.
Translucent to transparent manganese colored glass.
Rim tooled. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections. One continuous mold seam around body, extends very pronounced onto both sides of neck (MCT VIII).
Everted rim, rounded in flame. Short flaring neck. Body shaped like a date with a nearly circular cross section.
Indistinct relief pattern of wavy ridges and hooks, imitating the wrinkles in the skin of a ripe date.
Mold blown; tooled.
Rim tooled. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections. One continuous mold seam around body, very pronounced extends onto both sides of neck (MCT VIII).
Everted rim, rounded in flame. Short flaring neck. Body shaped like a date with a nearly circular cross section.
Indistinct relief pattern of wavy ridges and hooks, imitating the wrinkles in the skin of a ripe date.
Translucent to transparent manganese colored glass.
Rim tooled. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections. One continuous mold seam around body, extends very pronounced onto both sides of neck (MCT VIII).
Everted rim, rounded in flame. Short flaring neck. Body shaped like a date with a nearly circular cross section.
Indistinct relief pattern of wavy ridges and hooks, imitating the wrinkles in the skin of a ripe date.
Mold blown; tooled.
On view
In Collection(s)