Glass aryballos (oil bottle)

Unknown

2nd–3rd century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent blue green; handles in same color. Thick, partially tubular rim, folded out, down, round, and in, flattened on upper surface; cylindrical neck; horizontal shoulder; globular body; thick bottom with central kick and pontil mark; two dolphin handles applied to shoulder, drawn up side of neck to underside of rim, turned out, round, and down, forming to ring holes, then a second trail applied to edge of rim, drawn down over handles, and trailed off upwards. Intact; a few small bubbles; slight soil encrustation and faint iridescence on exterior, patches of soil encrustation and creamy weathering on interior. Greenish, with handles in the form of dolphins.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd–3rd century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917