Bulbous Flask (Unguentarium)

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean (Syro-Palestinian)

Date2nd-4th century CE

DimensionsH: 4 5/16 in. (11 cm); Rim Diam: 1 in. (2.6 cm); Body Diam: 2 5/16 in. (5.95 cm)

MediumGlass; free blown; tooled.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.603

Not on View

DescriptionMedium thin glass. A few small spherical bubbles in body and vertically elongated bubbles in the neck. Natural light bluish-green; lip folded inward; neck widens slightly at shoulder; neck slightly constricted at juncture with body; body hemispherical shape, slightly flattened. The resemblance of the shape of this type of vessel to a modern candlestick has resulted in the name "candlestick unguentarium." Transparent natural pale green. Free-blown and tooled; no pontil mark. Outsplayed tubular rim, folded outward, upward, inward, and flattened. Tall, tapering neck with a constriction at its base. Bulbous body about one-third of the total height with the greatest diameter near the middle. Flat bottom with a slight depression at its center.