Glass cosmetic flask (kohl tube)

Unknown

4th century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Translucent deep blue green; handle and trails in same color. Everted tubular rim, folded round and in, flattened on top edge; cylindrical body with concave side; thick, solid pad base, made as a coil, with sloping upper surface; bottom with deep central kick and part of circular pontil; basket handle applied over trails in an arching loop above rim. On body, four trails, applied as large pads, two on opposite sides near base, the other two between them higher up side, all drawn up vertically in tooled loops, ending on top of rim. Broken and repaired around rim and top of body; some pinprick bubbles in body, black impurities in handle and trails; pitting, dulling, and patches of iridescent weathering on exterior, creamy white weathering and iridescence on interior.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman, Syrian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Museum Accession