Unguent Bottle (Amphoriskos)
Unguent Bottle (Amphoriskos)
Place of OriginPossibly the Levant (Roman)
Dateabout 2nd century BCE
DimensionsGlass Dimensions: 5 9/16 × 1 5/16 × 1 15/16 in. (14.2 × 3.4 × 4.9 cm)
Mediumglass
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1916.55
Not on View
DescriptionThis unguent bottle is core-formed (amphoriskos); applied rim-disk, handles, and base-knob; applied marvered threads. The vessel has a blue ground with opaque white decoration. It features a moderately broad inward-sloping rim-disk; a tall, uneven cylindrical neck; an almost right-angled shoulder; and an elongated ovoid body with a convex pointed bottom. A short, rounded base-knob of natural light green glass is attached, unevenly formed at its end. Only one vertical strap handle survives, attached at the upper part of the neck, while evidence suggests there was originally a second. A wide marvered opaque white thread begins at the edge of the rim-disk and is wound spirally: first in horizontal lines around the neck and shoulder, then tooled into a carelessly formed feather pattern on the body, and finally in horizontal lines above the base knob. Almost complete. One of the original two handles is missing; the preserved handle shows degradation. Weathering and light pitting visible on the surface.
Published References"Early Egyptian Glass," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News 29, 1917, p. 352.
Grose, David F., Early Ancient Glass: Core-Formed, Rod-Formed, and Cast Vessels and Objects from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Roman Empire, 1600 B.C. to A.D. 50, New York, Hudson Hills Press in association with the Toledo Museum of Art, 1989, cat. no. 175, p. 172.
2nd-1st century BCE
6th-5th century BCE
2nd through mid-1st century BCE
Late 6th - 5th century BCE
Late 6th to 5th century BCE
2nd through mid-1st century BCE
5th century BCE
2nd-1st century BCE
2nd through mid-1st century BCE
Probably first half of 5th century BCE
5th century BCE
Late 6th through 5th century BCE
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