Spherical Jar with Three Handles

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Spherical Jar with Three Handles

Place of OriginRoman Empire, probably Palestine

DateLate 4th to late 5th century

DimensionsH: 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm); Rim Diam: 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); Body Diam: 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm)

MediumGlass; free blown and tooled, decoration hot-tooled on.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1032

Not on View

DescriptionThis spherical jar, classified as Jar Class ID2a with a blue zigzag, is free-blown and decorated with hot-tooled details. The medium thin glass shows blowing spirals throughout. The transparent natural blue-green glass, including the translucent handles and thread, has weathered so its exact color cannot be determined. The pontil mark measures about 1.5 cm in diameter. Excess glass at the tips of the three angular coil handles was clipped off, and one handle split during application. The jar has a collar rim, rounded in flame, set above an open cutout. The deeply concave neck curves smoothly into a strongly sloped shoulder. The spherical body sits on a concave base. Around the middle of the body, a zigzag thread with twenty-two segments continues for one revolution, overlapping the top of the zigzag. Along the edge of the base is an additional trail of thread.

Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, "Roman Glassblowing in a Cultural Context," American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 103, no. 3, July 1999, p. 482, fig. 31, p. 483.