Cylindrical Box (Pyxis)

Place of OriginAncient Rome, probably Syria or Palestine

DateFirst half of the first century

DimensionsH: 1 7/16 in. (3.6 cm); Rim Diam: 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm); Diam: 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm); Base Diam: 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm)

MediumGlass; mold-blown.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.489

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent colorless(?) glass. Thin glass. Fabric cannot be determined because of weathering. Blown into a three-part mold of two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V F). Mold seams concealed in stems of plants. Relief moderately crisp. Straight unworked rim. Short cylindrical body with mold-blown ridges. Stepped bottom with hollow base ring. On the flat underside of the base, three raised circles. On the body, between two ridges forming top and bottom borders, four stylized symmetrical plants with stylized ring-shaped flowers alternating with ring-shaped circlets. Transparent colorless(?) glass. Blown into a three-part mold of two vertical sections joined to a cup-shaped base section (MCT V F). Mold seams concealed in stems of plants. Relief moderately crisp. Straight unworked rim. Short cylindrical body with mold-blown ridges. Stepped bottom with hollow base ring. On the flat underside of the base, three raised circles. On the body, between two ridges forming top and bottom borders, four stylized symmetrical plants with stylized ring-shaped flowers alternating with ring-shaped circlets.

Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-blown Glass: The First through Sixth Centuries, Rome, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider, 1995, p. 172, no. 83.