Bulbous Jar with Multiple Handles on Three Feet

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Bulbous Jar with Multiple Handles on Three Feet

Place of OriginRoman Empire, probably Palestine or Syria

DateProbably fourth century

DimensionsH: 4 1/16 in. (10.4 cm); Rim Diam: 2 7/16 in. (6.2 cm); Diam (body): 3 in. (7.6 cm)

MediumGlass; free blown; tooled; applied decoration and feet

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1043

Not on View

DescriptionBulbous jar with multiple handles and three feet (Jar Class II D 2 e). Free-blown, tooled, and decorated with applied elements, made of medium thick clear decolorized glass with a yellow tinge. The body, applied decoration, applied feet, and eight angular coil handles are all similarly colored. Small spherical bubbles and blowing spirals are visible in the glass. The collar rim is rounded in flame with a partially open cutout. The jar has a concave neck with a curved transition to the sloping shoulder, and a bulbous body with its greatest diameter above the midpoint. The concave base has a kick and three added pinched feet bent slightly outward at the base. Handles are attached from shoulder to top of the cutout and side of the rim, folded upward and backward to form closed loops. An applied thread below the handles is pinched to form an interlocking arc pattern of triangles and lozenges on one side and a connecting oval chain on the other; the pattern can be felt as convex bulges on the interior. Pontil mark ca. 1.3 cm in diameter over reamer mark.

Published ReferencesHayes, John. W., Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, 1975, fig. 357, pp. 100-101 (Very similar jar, with slightly more elongated body, and with decorative knobs on body).Comparative ReferencesPossibly ex Auction Helbing 1913, no. 686, pl. 28 (see note 1)