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Bulbous Flask (Unguentarium)

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Bulbous Flask (Unguentarium)

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean (Syro-Palestinian)
Date2nd-4th century CE
DimensionsH: 7 1/2 in. (19 cm); Rim Diam: 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); Body Diam: 2 5/8 in.(6.7 cm)
MediumGlass; free-blown, tooled.
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1923.597
Not on View
DescriptionThin glass. A few small spherical bubbles in the body. Natural light green; flared, folded rim; neck widens toward shoulder; neck constricted slightly at juncture with body; flattened spherical body. The resemblance of this shape to a modern candlestick has resulted in the name "candlestick unguentarium" for this shape of Roman vessel. Transparent natural pale green. Free-blown and tooled; no pontil mark. Narrow tubular rim, outsplayed horizontally and folded inward, but not flattened. Tall, thick, tapering neck with a constriction at its base. Small squat bulbous body one sixth of the total height, with the greatest diameter near the bottom. Concave bottom.

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