Bulbous Jar

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Bulbous Jar

Place of OriginAncient Rome, probably Palestine

DateProbably fourth century

DimensionsH: 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm); Rim Diam: 2 3/8 in. (6.1 cm); Body Diam: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)

MediumGlass; free blown and tooled.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.815

Not on View

DescriptionThis vessel, classified as Jar Class IA1a, was formed by free-blowing and tooling medium thin glass. The transparent natural pale green glass (near 10 G 6/2) retains visible blowing spirals. Small and medium-sized bubbles, along with one large bubble measuring approximately 1.4 cm in the lower body, are present in the glass. The rim is folded outward, upward, inward, and downward. The deeply concave neck has a smooth curved transition to the sloping shoulder. The bulbous body reaches its widest diameter at the midpoint and sits on a base that is flattened with a central depression. A ring pontil scar about 3.2 cm wide remains on the base. Five large circular indentations without tool marks are visible on the body surface. COLLECTIONS Thomas E. H. Curtis, Plainfield, New Jersey, no. B 371 REMARKS See 08.0055. An indented jar with folded rim was excavated at Nahariya, in a tomb used from the early third to the mid-fourth century. Many small indented jars appear to belong to one family. The varations in the finishing of the rims probably reflects different workshop traditions.