Date-shaped Bottle

Place of OriginPhoenicia

DateMid-first to early second century

DimensionsH: 2 15/16 in. (7.4 cm); Rim Diam: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm); Body Diam: 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm)

MediumGlass; mold blown, tooled

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.577

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

DescriptionThis bottle resembles a date, with ridges and hooks that mimic the fruit’s natural wrinkles. The glass is brownish yellow and contains small air bubbles from the blowing process. It was shaped using a two-part mold, and the mold seam is especially noticeable along the neck and body. The neck flares outward, and the rim is folded in and down.

Label TextThe date palm tree was one of the prized plants of the Mediterranean world as its fruit was so useful and delicious—even the pits were used for fuel. First made in the Roman Imperial period, glass vessels in the shape of dried dates were incredibly popular for holding perfume or medicines. Most likely, a real dried fruit was used to make a mold of clay or plaster and then glass was blown into the mold to create the vessel. The neck and rim would have been tooled and added to the body. These objects were often included in burials as personal items for the deceased.Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-blown Glass: The First through Sixth Centuries, Rome, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider, 1995, p. 175, no. 93, color pl. 16.

Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 107.