Date flask
Date: 1st-2nd century CE
Dimensions:
H: 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); Rim Diam: 7/8 in. (2.3 cm); Body Diam: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Medium: glass
Place of Origin: Eastern Mediterranean (Syria, Sidon?)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1923.2413
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.
DescriptionGlass; mold blown; tooled.
On view
In Collection(s)