Double Head-shaped Flask with Internal Diaphragm (Sprinkler): Two Similar Stylized Droll Faces

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Double Head-shaped Flask with Internal Diaphragm (Sprinkler): Two Similar Stylized Droll Faces

Place of OriginEastern Mediteranean, probably Syria or Palestine

DateProbably early third century

DimensionsH: 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Diam (rim): 1 7/8 in. (4.6 cm); Diam (body): 2 3/16 in. (5.6 cm);
Max Diam: 2 in. (5.1 cm); Diam base: 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)

MediumGlass; mold-blown, in a two part mold, tooled.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1224

Not on View

DescriptionTransparent natural pale green (10 G 6/2). Medium thick glass. Numerous small spherical and vertically elongated bubbles in body and neck. Black streaks. Stone. Rim and neck free blown. Body blown into a two-part mold of two vertical sections, each including one-half of the base (MCT VIII). One continuous mold seams concealed in hair at junction of heads, extends across underside of base. Tooled diaphragm. Relief crisp. No pontil mark. Thick outsplayed hollow rim, folded outward, upward, and inward. Tubular neck, with constriction at its base where an interior cut-out forms a diaphragm with an aperture of 0.8 cm. Spherical body in the shape of a double head. Oval flat base. Body in the shape of two heads back to back with similar mask-like features, giving each face a droll expression: flat oval face, protruding knobs for eyes and chin, long large triangular nose, and small straight mouth with lips slightly parted. The hair around both faces is schematic, rendered as distinct, evenly spaced small knobs arranged in four interlocking tiers framing the face, except on the left side of face B where there are only three interlocking rows. Transparent natural pale green (10 G 6/2).

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. 157, p. 238, color plate 26, p. 62.

Arts, P.L.W., "A Collection of Ancient Glass 500 BC - 500 AD," ANTIEK Lochem, 2000, p. 112.