Unguent Bottle (Oinochoe)

Place of OriginEastern Mediterranean, possibly Rhodes

DateLate 6th through 5th century BCE

DimensionsH: 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm); Rim Diam: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm); Max Diam of Body: 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm); Base Diam: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)

Mediumglass

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.158

Not on View

DescriptionThis small oinochoe features an opaque white ground with purple decoration. It has a broad trefoil rim-disk, a rather tall cylindrical neck, an obtuse-angled shoulder, and a top-shaped body that ends in a convex bottom. The foot is out-splayed, also opaque white, and concave on its underside. A single opaque white strap handle extends from the shoulder to the rim-disk, arching high above it. An unmarvered purple thread is attached at the edge of the rim-disk. A second purple thread, also unmarvered, begins at the middle of the neck and spirals downward in four overlapping horizontal loops. A third purple thread, marvered, starts on the shoulder and continues in horizontal spirals, transitioning into a zigzag pattern at mid-body. Below this, a fourth purple thread, also marvered, is wound in horizontal lines just beneath the mid-body zone. A fifth and final purple thread, unmarvered, encircles the edge of the foot. The vessel is core-formed, with applied rim-disk, handle, and foot, and applied marvered and unmarvered threads. Tooling marks are visible on the rim-disk and on the side.

Published ReferencesSambon, A., "Les verres antiques," Le Musée 3, 1906, p. 486, pl. 70.7.

Hayes, John W., Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, 1975, pp. 11-12.

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. 110, p. 148.