Bottle with Molded Designs of Animals

Unknown

9th–10th century · Glass; blown in two parts, impressed with tongs · Islamic Art

Abbasid glassmakers continued earlier traditions of glassmaking while incorporating new ornamental motifs. This slightly irridescent bottle showcases several sophisticated glass-making methods. The difficult "incalmo" technique fuses the dark blue glass neck and upper body of the bottle with the lower section of green glass. The lower body is impressed with five medallions, each containing the stylized figure of a running animal with long ears and a tail that ends in a palmette-like motif. The patterns call to mind griffins, birds, gazelles, or rabbits, ornamental motifs popular in Abbasid molded glass and in other media, particularly luster ceramics.

Artist

Unknown

Date

9th–10th century

Medium

Glass; blown in two parts, impressed with tongs

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1908