Glass 'Mercury' bottle

Unknown

2nd to 4th century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent pale yellow green. Broad, thick rim, folded out, down, round and in, and flattened on top surface with irregular inner lip around mouth; thick-walled cylindrical neck, expanding downwards; pushed-in horizontal shoulder; square, thick-walled body, tapering downwards, with irregular patterns of shallow grooves on sides (from mold ?); almost flat bottom. In relief on bottom, standing lion, facing right, on ground line, surrounded by an indistinct pattern of wavy lines together with the inscription CEV HO DIA; above the lion's head, the letters CR are also visible. Broken around top of neck, with rim now separate, and one section of neck reattached, but body complete; some pinprick and elongated bubbles, and black impurities in rim; dulling, pitting, and patches brilliant iridescence and creamy brown weathering.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd to 4th century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881