Glass hexagonal bottle

Unknown

1st half of 1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Streaky opaque greyish light blue, some streaks appearing white and dark greenish yellow. Everted rim, rounded in the flame; slender neck expanding downwards; convex sloping shoulder, cylindrical body with projecting horizontal band below six panels and above undercurve; uneven bottom. Decoration in blurred relief in three registers: on shoulder, six rounded arches; on body, six rectangular panels, divided by columns or vertical beams with diagonal supports branching out near the top, forming a triangular pediment above each panel; each panel contains a bird in a different pose perched on or flying over a globular nest or rock; below, continuous band of twenty-six radiating upturned tongues in raised outline; on bottom, raised broad circle around edge and dot at center. Intact, except for small chip in rim and small weathered hole in top of body; deep pitting, dulling, and small patches of weathering.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st half of 1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917