Glass cosmetic flask (kohl tube)

Unknown

4th century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Colorless with light green tinge; handles and trail in same color. Rim folded out, over, and in; neck flaring upwards, then joining imperceptibly with slender, slightly bulbous body; flattened and slightly concave bottom; two rod handles applied in claw pads to neck, drawn up and out, and then turned in and pressed onto upper edge of rim with upward pinched projections. Single fine trail applied as a large pad below rim, drawn down and wound in a spiral eighteen times around neck, body, and outer edge of bottom. Broken at top, with losses to rim, neck, one handle, and trail; many bubbles, some large and elongated; dulling, slight pitting, thick brown weathering, and brilliant iridescence.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman, Syrian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881