Spherical Bottle with Lozenge Pattern (Sprinkler)

Place of OriginSyria or inland Palestine

Date3rd-4th century CE

DimensionsH: 3 5/16 in. (8.5 cm); Max Diam: 2 1/2 in. (6.3 cm); Diam (rim): 2 in. (5.1 cm); Diam (body): 2 1/2 in. (6.3 cm)

MediumMold-blown, in a two-part mold; tooled. Medium thick glass.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1335

Not on View

DescriptionThis spherical bottle was made by blowing the body into a two-part mold (MCT VIII) and finishing the rim and neck freehand. The collar rim is outsplayed at an angle and rounded in flame, with an open cut-out below the edge. The neck tapers downward to a constriction at its base, where an interior cut-out forms a small diaphragm with an opening approximately 0.3 cm wide, restricting the flow of liquid. The body is decorated with eleven rows of twelve lozenges in raised outline, with the bottom row featuring tongue shapes with pointed tips. The top two rows are barely visible. The relief is indistinct due to weathering. The vessel has a flattened base and shows blowing spirals in the glass.

Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-blown Glass: the First through Sixth Centuries, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider in Association with the Toledo Museum of Art, Rome, Italy, 1995, cat. no. 130, p. 196, color plate 19, p. 57.

Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 114.