Double Head-shaped Jug with Crimped Handle: Two Childlike Faces, One Serious, One Smiling

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Double Head-shaped Jug with Crimped Handle: Two Childlike Faces, One Serious, One Smiling

Place of OriginAncient Rome, Eastern Mediterranean, Syria or Palestine

DateFourth century

DimensionsH: 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Rim Diam: 1 5/16 in. (3.4 cm); Diam: 2 in. (5.1 cm); Base Diam: 1 9/16 in. (3.9 cm)

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.522

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent natural decolorized glass. Similarly colored neck coil and handle. Very thin glass. Blowing spirals. Fabric cannot be determined because of weathering. Rim and neck free blown. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections, probably open at the base (MCT IX). Mold seams concealed in hair at junction of heads. No mold seam on underside of base. Relief moderately indistinct. No pontil mark. No deformation at base of neck. Unworked everted rim, with slight bulge below. Funnel neck. Body in the shape of a double head. Nearly circular, irregularly flattened base. Ribbon handle with three crimps, originating from neck coil and attached to shoulder. Neck coil around middle of neck from right to left. Body in the shape of two heads back to back: one serious face, A, and one smiling face, B. Face A has prominent arched browlines, well-proportioned nose, indistinct mouth, fat cheeks, and massive jaw wider than the forehead. The chin-length hair is rendered as irregular ridges formed from connected knobs. Face B has prominent arched browlines, wide eyes, well-proportioned nose with recessed nostrils, indistinct smiling mouth, knob-like chin, and fat cheeks. The chin-length hair is similar to that of side A.

Published ReferencesStern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-blown Glass: The First through Sixth Centuries, Rome, "L'Erma" di Bretschneider, 1995, p. 242-243, no. 163.