Hexagonal Jug

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean, probably Syria

DateSixth to early seventh centuries

DimensionsH: 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); Diam (rim): 1 1/4 in. (3.15 cm); Diam (body): 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm); Diam Base: 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)

MediumMold blown; applied rim and handle

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1349

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent natural pale green (10 G 6/2). Translucent similarly colored coil and handle. Thin glass. Blowing spirals. Medium-sized vertically elongated bubbles in neck. Black specks in handle. Mouth and neck free blown. Body probably blown into a multipart mold with a base plate. Relief crisp. Pontil mark ca. 1.4 cm in diameter. Excess glass at tip of handle continues into rim coil. Circular mouth, with unworked rim edge with rim coil. Tapering neck. Shoulder slightly sloped. Hexagonal body with downward taper. Kicked base. Curved coil handle applied to shoulder above panel 1 and attached to upper neck where it continues as rim coil. Around top edge of rim, rim coil from left to right. On the body, six decorated rectangular panels with designs in sunken relief. In the panels, from left to right: 1, vertical column of four lozenges with a circle in the center of each; 2, lattice; 3, stylized palm branch with thirteen leaves on each side; 4, same as panel 1; 5, same as panel 2; 6, stylized palm branch with sixteen leaves on each side. On the underside of the base, in sunken relief, a rosette with twelve petals. Transparent natural pale green (10 G 6/2). Translucent similarly colored coil and handle.

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. 178, p. 260.