Glass reliquary bottle

Unknown

ca. 7th–8th century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent green. Thick, everted rim, folded over and in to oval, flaring mouth; cylindrical neck, expanding slightly downward; globular body; small bottom with shallow kick and pontil scar. Engraved decoration on body: on one side, christogram flanked by A (alpha) and W (omega), with crossed leafy fronds below and pair of flying birds (doves ?) holding wreath between them in their beaks; on other side, large wreath surrounding Latin inscription: M / VRSV/LA / F. Intact; very bubbly; dulling and scratching on exterior, iridescent weathering on interior.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 7th–8th century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Possibly Frankish

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881