Unguent Bottle (Alabastron)

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Unguent Bottle (Alabastron)

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean or Italy

DateMid-4th through early 3rd centuries BCE

DimensionsH: 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); Diam: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm); Max Diam of Body: 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)

Mediumglass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.164

Not on View

DescriptionThis core-formed alabastron has a dark blue ground speckled with numerous white inclusions and is decorated with opaque white and opaque yellow threads. It features a moderately broad, uneven horizontal rim-disk with a rounded edge, and a cylindrical neck that tapers upward. The body is cylindrical and irregular, broadening at its midpoint and tapering to a convex bottom that is flat on one side. The shoulder is vestigial and gently rounded. Two small dark blue lugs are positioned above the middle of the body. These are drawn out from the side of the vessel: one is formed with a depression on its upper surface; the other is irregular in shape. A marvered opaque yellow thread is applied vertically at the top of the neck, where it is joined by a marvered opaque white thread. These two threads spiral in alternating bands across the shoulder and upper body, then are tooled into a highly irregular, shallow zigzag pattern extending toward the basal angle. Below this, the yellow thread continues in a loosely undulating line. Manufactured using the core-forming technique, the vessel also includes an applied rim-disk and applied marvered threads.

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. 131, p. 156, Repr. (col.) p. 102.