Bird-Shaped Vessel (Filler)

Place of OriginRoman Empire

Date1st-2nd century CE

DimensionsGlass Dimensions: 3 × 1 11/16 × 2 3/16 in. (7.6 × 4.3 × 5.6 cm)

Mediumglass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number

1916.161

Not on View

DescriptionThis bird-shaped vessel, likely used as a filler or dripper, is made of medium thin, transparent natural green glass (5 G 7/2) and contains a few small bubbles. The form was free-blown and finished with tooling. A circular scar approximately 2.1 cm in diameter is visible on the base. The vessel takes the form of a stylized bird, with a large circular opening at the front, where the head would be, and a secondary opening at the tail. The horizontally everted rim is folded outward, downward, upward, and then inward. The tall cylindrical neck tapers smoothly into a rounded shoulder. The body is bulbous and triangular, terminating in a short tail that is pierced lengthwise and rounded in flame. The flattened base ensures stability. Eastern examples of similar bird-shaped glass vessels are documented in Stern (1977, p. 51), often interpreted as fillers for lamps. See also comparable examples in the TMA collection: 1923.1086, 1923.1087, and 1923.1088. Parallels with trefoil-shaped mouths are illustrated in Platz-Horster 1976, nos. 136–137. Additional examples from Tyre, associated with coin finds dated between 197 and 379 CE, are published by Chéhab (1986, pls. XLV–XLVI).