Glass 'Mercury' bottle

Unknown

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

Translucent pale green. Cylindrical neck, expanding downwards; slightly pushed-in horizontal shoulder; square, thick-walled body, tapering downwards; slightly concave bottom. In relief on bottom, cloaked standing figure, facing left, holding torch-like object in right hand and left arm bent across chest; in each corner, a large capital letter: G F H I. Broken around neck (with weathered edges), with upper half of neck and rim missing, one large crack running from neck to upper body; many pinprick bubbles; dulling, pitting, and patches brilliant iridescence and black enamel-like weathering. Flasks of this type have a base stamp, comprising four Latin letters (GFHI) around a central draped figure, here identified as Mercury holding an attribute.

Artist

Unknown

Date

2nd–3rd century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan P. Rosen, 1991