Double Head-shaped Flask with Internal Diaphragm (Sprinkler): Two Similar Stylized Droll Faces

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Double Head-shaped Flask with Internal Diaphragm (Sprinkler): Two Similar Stylized Droll Faces

Place of OriginEastern Mediteranean, probably Syria or Palestine

DateProbably early third century

DimensionsH: 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Diam (rim): 1 7/8 in. (4.6 cm); Diam (body): 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm);
Max Diam: 2 in. (5.1 cm); Diam base: 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)

MediumGlass; mold-blown, in a two part mold, tooled.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1224

Not on View

DescriptionThis double head-shaped flask with an internal diaphragm, classified as a sprinkler flask, is made of transparent natural pale green glass (10 G 6/2) with medium thick walls containing numerous small spherical and vertically elongated bubbles, black streaks, and stone inclusions; the rim and neck are free-blown while the spherical body was blown in a two-part mold (MCT VIII) with a concealed seam hidden in the hair at the junction of the heads, featuring a thick outsplayed hollow rim folded outward, upward, and inward, a tubular neck with a constriction and an interior cut-out forming a diaphragm with an aperture of 0.8 cm, and an oval flat base; the body is formed as two stylized, droll, mask-like faces with flat oval features, protruding knobs for eyes and chin, long triangular noses, small parted mouths, and rows of distinct evenly spaced knob-like hair arranged in four interlocking tiers, except on one side where there are only three rows.

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. 157, p. 238, color plate 26, p. 62.

Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 112.