Date-shaped Bottle
Date-shaped Bottle
Place of OriginPhoenicia
DateMid-first to early second century
DimensionsH: 3 in. (7.6 cm); Rim Diam: 3/4 in. (1.9 cm); Body Diam: 1 7/32 in. (3.1 cm)
MediumGlass; mold blown, tooled
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1923.586
On View
Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic
DescriptionTransluThis glass bottle was shaped like a ripe date, with surface ridges and hooks that resemble the fruit’s wrinkles. It was made using a two-part mold, and the seam is clearly visible on one side of the neck.
The glass is brownish yellow and translucent. The rim is folded inward and downward, and the body has an uneven shape.
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. 175-176, no. 94.
Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 107.
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
Mid-first to early second century
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