Hexagonal Jar with Basket Handle

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean, probably Syria

DateSixth to early seventh centuries

DimensionsH: 4 13/16 in. (12.3 cm); W handle: 7 15/16 in. (20.1 cm); Diam (rim): 2 7/8 in. (7.4 cm); Diam (body): 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm); W base: 2 1/4 in.(5.7 cm)

MediumMold blown; tooled; applied handle. Thin to medium thin glass.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1364

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent natural pale green (near 10 G 6/2). Translucent similarly colored handle. Thin to medium thin glass. Blowing spirals. Black specks in handles. Fabric cannot be determined because of weathering. 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 drawn out thin against handle. Outsplayed rim folded outward, upward, and inward. Deeply concave neck. Shoulder slightly sloped. Hexagonal body with downward taper. Concave base with kick. Two curved coil handles applied to shoulder and attached to edge of rim above panels 1 and 4, where they are folded inward, upward, and outward to form a closed loop; separate basket handle made from a coil with circular section applied to the top of one side handle and attached to the opposite side handle; tool mark at top of basket handle. On the body, six decorated rectangular panels with designs in sunken relief. In the panels, from left to right: 1, vertical column of three lozenges with a circle in the center of each; 2, lattice; 3, stylized palm branch with eleven leaves on each side; 4, same as panel 1; 5, same as panel 2; 6, stylized palm branch with twelve leaves on each side. On underside of base, in sunken outline, a rosette with twelve petals. Transparent natural pale green (near 10 G 6/2). Translucent similarly colored handle. DESCRIPTION: Transparent natural pale green (near 10 G 6/2). Translucent similarly colored handle. Thin to medium thin glass. Blowing spirals. Black specks in handles. Fabric cannot be determined because of weathering. Neck and mouth 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 drawn out thin against handle. Outsplayed rim folded outward, upward, and inward. Deeply concave neck. Shoulder slightly sloped. Hexagonal body with downward taper. Concave base with kick. Two curved coil handles applied to shoulder and attached to edge of rim above panels 1 and 4, where they are folded inward, upward, and outward to form a closed loop; separate basket handle made from a coil with circular section applied to the top of one side handle and attached to the opposite side handle; tool mark at top of basket handle. On the body, six rectangular panels decorated with designs in sunken relief. In the panels, from left to right: 1, three lozenges with a circle in the center of each; 2, lattice; 3, stylized palm branch with eleven leaves on each side; 4, same as panel 1; 5, same as panel 2; 6, stylized palm branch with twelve leaves on each side. On underside of base, in sunken outline, a rosette with twelve petals. CONDITION: Complete; basket handle broken off and repaired. Cracks and small loss in upper body on panels 5 and 6. Cleaned. Original surface not preserved. Exterior and interior cloudy and rough with iridescent film, remains of beige weathering, pitting, and ice floes. COLLECTION: Thomas E. H. Curtis REMARKS: The high, angular basket handle recalls the more extravagant multitiered handles attached to kohl tubes made in the fifth and sixth centuries in inland Palestine.

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. 179, pp. 260-261.