Hexagonal Bottle, Vessels Type, Series A

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Hexagonal Bottle, Vessels Type, Series A

Place of OriginAncient Rome, Phoenicia

DateMid-first century

DimensionsH: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm) Rim Diam: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm) Diam: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm) Diam base: 7/8 in. (2.2 cm)

MediumGlass; mold blown and tooled

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.475

Not on View

DescriptionThis hexagonal bottle is made of translucent grayish blue, medium thin glass. The fabric cannot be determined because of weathering. It belongs to the Vessels Type, Series A1, Generation A1b. The neck was free blown, and the body was formed in a three-part mold of three vertical sections (MCT IV). Mold seams between panels 2 and 3, 4 and 5, and 6 and 1 meet off center on the underside of the base. The relief is crisp but difficult to discern due to weathering. A vertical tool mark is visible at the base of the neck. The rim flares outward and is partially folded outward, upward, and inward. The cylindrical neck leads to a bulbous body with its widest diameter halfway between the center and base. The low, offset base has an irregular flat underside. Decorative elements include six arches on the shoulder, each framing a large, unidentified egg-shaped object. On the body, six rectangular panels are divided by columns with abaci, smooth shafts, and high double torus bases. Each panel features a vessel, from left to right : A spouted jug with a high handle to the right, A footed bowl with a wide opening and two vertical handles, containing three rows of rounded objects (possibly fruit). A wide-mouthed footed vessel with two small vertical handles on the shoulder. A footed bowl with a tall cylindrical neck, oblate body, and tall stem, filled with two rows of rounded objects (possibly fruit). A footed jug with a spout and a high handle to the right. A second wide-mouthed footed vessel similar to that in panel 3. Around the bottom, fillets connect the centers of adjacent panels. Below each column are alternating large and small fruits, the larger ones featuring knobbed surfaces.

Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-Blown Glass: The First Through Sixth Centuries, Rome, Italy, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider in association with the Toledo Museum of Art, 1995, cat. no. 22, pp. 120-121, Fig. 72, p. 117.

Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 103.