Glass double head-shaped flask

Unknown

early 3rd century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent light purple. Flaring mouth; cylindrical neck, expanding downwards; globular body with prominent seam running from neck down sides; flat bottom. Blown in a two-part negative mold to produce relief decoration on body of two heads back to back with similar features: hair arranged around the face as evenly spaced knobs in three regular tiers, prominent arched browline, almond-shaped eyes with recessed pupils, narrow nose with flaring nostrils, small mouth with straight lips slightly parted, and fat cheeks. Complete, but rim missing and with one hole in side of body; pinprick and elongated bubbles, and black impurities in top of neck; slight weathering and soli encrustation on exterior, thick encrustation on parts of interior.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 3rd century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76