Unguent Bottle (Oinochoe)

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean or Italy

DateMid 4th-early 3rd BCE

DimensionsH: 6 13/16 in. (17.3 cm); Rim Diam: 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm); Max Diam of Body: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Base Diam: 2 3/16 in. (5.5 cm)

Mediumglass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.129

Not on View

DescriptionThis large core-formed oinochoe, or single-handled jug, features a dark blue ground decorated with opaque yellow, white, and turquoise-blue threads. It has a broad trefoil rim-disk, a tall cylindrical neck, and a rounded shoulder that meets the neck at an almost right angle. The ovoid body, which curves outward distinctly (as restored), rests on a broad circular pad-base with a slightly concave underside and rounded edge. A vertical strap handle, reconstructed, extends from the shoulder to the rim. Decorative threads include an unmarvered opaque yellow thread attached at the edge of the rim-disk, followed by unmarvered opaque yellow and white threads wound spirally down the neck. On the shoulder, a second opaque white, turquoise-blue, and another opaque yellow thread are tooled into an inverted festoon pattern, each ending in a loop (as restored). Lower on the body, a marvered opaque yellow thread spirals in horizontal lines, followed by a zigzag band in marvered opaque turquoise-blue and white threads. Additional horizontal bands of marvered opaque threads continue around the lower body. A final unmarvered opaque yellow thread is wound around the edge of the pad-base.

Published ReferencesGrose, 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. 146, p. 161.