Ancient Glass in the University of Colorado Museum
Introduction
Ìýdates backÌýas early as the 15th century B.C.E. in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Early on, glassmakers knew by mixing metallic oxides into the ingredients and popular colors included various shades of blue, as well as shades of yellow, green, blue, purple, and red. Glass began to be in the middle of the 1st millennium B.C.E., showing up in Etruscan contexts, as in an Ìýfrom an Etruscan tomb,Ìýas well as in the Greek colonies of southern Italy and Sicily. A specifically Roman glass industry, however, seems to have developed in the middle of the 1st century B.C.E., influenced by . Glass played many roles in ancient Rome, being used for tablewares, toilet items, jewelry, storage and transportation, mosaics, and so on. Because of its fragile nature, much of the glass that has survived to the modern period is broken, but the CU collection contains 17 whole or nearly-whole vessels that contribute to our understanding of glass in the ancient Roman world.Ìý
The originated in 1969 with a gift from the May Company to the University of Colorado Museum of Natural HistoryÌýof an Eastern MediterraneanÌýamphoriskos, along with a stone alabastron from Macedonia (see Appendix).ÌýIn 1979 H. Medill Sarkisian donated to the CU Museum of Natural History 16 vessels, along with 16 African pieces, from the collection in his store in Denver. The two remaining pieces in the collection have no records of their acquisition.ÌýThe collection consists of two pieces from the eastern Mediterranean and 15 Roman pieces (1). The collection was transferred in its entirety from the CU Museum of Natural History to the CU Art Museum in 2008.
Since all of the pieces come from private collections, none of them have any or definite provenance.ÌýThe collection is most notable for its poor condition.ÌýTwo pieces have been shattered and repaired ineptly.ÌýTwo more are cracked.ÌýTwo more have rust stains from bad mountsÌýand one has been glued or otherwise permanently attached to a metal stand.ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýflaking are common throughout the collection.ÌýThis weathering is no doubt due to the age of the pieces, but the rest of the damage described above is the result of maltreatment in the last three centuries (2).Ìý
Accompanying this catalogue are student-created essays on the basic history and uses of glass ²¹²Ô»åÌýhow glass was made in ancient Rome.
Organization of the Catalogue
Each entry in the catalogue contains the following information:
- Museum accession number
- Means of acquisition and transfers (if known)
- Dimensions (height and greatest diameter)
- Likely provenance
- Date
- Classification (if known)
- All Roman pieces are classified byÌýIsings Form and Harden Fabric.ÌýIsings Forms are based on the shape of the vessel, number of handles, and decorations.ÌýHarden Fabrics refer to the characteristics of the glass of each vessel, specifically color, quality (i.e., number of impurities), and weathering.ÌýNo. 1, an amphoriskos, is classified by Grose Group, which is determined largely by shape and the position of the handles (3).Ìý
- Description
- The description covers shape, color, decoration, condition, repairs (if any), ²¹²Ô»åÌýmethod of manufacture. Shape is described from "top to bottom, as is customary with glass vessels because the finishing of the rim is the most defining part of a blown vessel" (4).Ìý
- Comments
- These include remarks on the function and distribution of the type as a whole, peculiarities in the individual specimen, problems with classification, and similar vessels from other collections and sites.
See the individual entries for additional information and discussion of the objects.Ìý
Catalogue
1.Ìý
Gift of the May Company (1969)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý7.9 cm
Diameter (max.):Ìý4.8Ìýcm
Eastern Mediterranean, late 6th to early 4th century B.C.E.
Classification: Grose Group I.3 (5)Ìý
Description: Mouth, neck, and part of handle missing. Preserved section of handle attached to top of shoulder. Body ovoid with flat base knob. Royal blue body with opaque aqua and yellow-orange zigzag pattern.ÌýOne unmarvered yellow-orange stripe at the top of zigzag pattern, two more below, and one at base of vessel (very similar to the coloring of Schlick-Nolte 2002, no. V-11). Body repaired with wax or hot glue.ÌýCore-formedÌý(i.e., hot glass is applied to a removable core, either by dipping or trailing threads of glass over the core as it rotates).ÌýHandles and base knob applied separately. (6).
Comment: This type of amphoriskos, which was probably used as an ointment bottle, is ubiquitous in the eastern Mediterranean, such places as Egypt (Honey 1946, pl. 1E), Israel (Eliayu Dobkin PavillionÌý1981,Ìýp. 18), Lebanon (Baramki 1967,Ìýpl. V), and Georgia (Vickers and Kakhidze 2001, fig. 21), as well as in Italy (Mariacher 1961, pl. 2), in the 6th through 3rdÌýcenturies B.C.E.ÌýThis coloring, which is also rather commonplace, is probably in imitation of Murrhine ware (7).ÌýOther comparable examples are Eisen 1927, pl. 4;ÌýRichter 1974, fig. 515; Hayes 1975,Ìýno. 12;ÌýConstable-Maxwell CollectionÌý1979, lot 5;Ìýand Grose 1989, nos. 107 and 108.ÌýAÌýÌýat the Art Institute of Chicago and aÌýÌýshow how common the style was and suggest what CU's vessel may have looked like when it was complete.Ìý
The original museum record of this vessel indicates that the neck was missing at the time of accessioning, but makes no mention of the body being broken, suggesting this damage occurred since 1969.
2. Eastern MediterraneanÌýRibbed Cup or Bowl (CU 29,003) [2008.18.2.3]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý7.1Ìýcm
Diameter (max.):Ìý9.4Ìýcm
Eastern Mediterranean, 1st century B.C.E. to 1st century C.E.
Description: Everted rim with unworked edge turning in at top. Slight shoulder. Body bulges out in center. Pinched-out ribs extening from just above middle of body to underside of base. Flat bottom.ÌýPale greenish tint.ÌýSome iridescenceÌýand a great deal of white incrustation.ÌýMold-blown.
Comment: This type of vessel, sometimes known as aÌýzarte Rippenschale, bears some resemblance to Isings Form 17, but without marvered threadsÌý(8).ÌýDecorated versions of this type (e.g. Eisen 1927, pl. 37;ÌýMegaw 1957,Ìýpl. 4f;Ìývon Saldern 1980, pl. 2) have similar bodies.ÌýOther, simpler examples areÌýFitzwilliam MuseumÌý1978, nos. 60a and b;ÌýGill 2000, p. 102;Ìýand also Avigad 1983,Ìýfig. 219, a fragment of a bowl from Jerusalem dating to the early 1st century B.C.E. (or earlier).ÌýSee, also, Weinberg and Stern 2009 G 213.Ìý
3. Shallow Pillar-Molded Bowl (CU 28,998) [2008.18.2.4]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý3.8 cm
Diameter (max.):Ìý10.2Ìýcm
Roman, 1st century C.E.
Classification: Isings Form 3a;ÌýHarden Fabric 2 or 3
Description: Unworked lip on shallow bowl with somewhat sagged profile. 21Ìýpillar-molded ribsÌýdescend from pronounced shoulder to flat base of vessel.ÌýMuch iridescenceÌýand flaking, to the extent that the original color is not discernable (at present it is several shades of brown).ÌýSagged (i.e., heated on a dome-shaped mold)Ìý(9).
Comment: The weathering of this bowl has been extensiveÌýand it has been abused in other ways, as indicated by a patch of glue-like substance on side.ÌýNevertheless, the shape and what remains of the original coloring suggests this bowl may be mosaic (cf. Eisen 1927,Ìýpl. 32;Ìývon Saldern 1968, no. 12). Other examples of this shape are Hayes 1975, no. 50Ìýand Grose 1989, no. 232.
4. Ribbed Bowl (CU 28,995) [2008.18.2.5]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý4.8 cm
Diameter (max.): 17.8 cm
Roman, 1st century C.E.
Classification: Isings Form 3c;ÌýHarden Fabric 1
Description: Slightly outcurved rim on a wide bowl. 65 relatively evenly spaced ribs around center of bowl, reaching neither the lip nor the base. Colorless, almostÌýtransparent glass with green tint.ÌýChip missing from rim.ÌýSome iridescenceÌýand a large rusty patch extending in an arc from the rim to the bottom.ÌýSagged.
Comment: Not enough examples of this type come from an archaeological context to establish a definite chronology; a handful of fragments from the western provinces of the Roman Empire belong to the 1st century C.E. (10).ÌýOther similar examples are Eisen 1927, pl. 40;ÌýHayes 1975,Ìýno. 47;ÌýFitzwilliam Museum 1978,Ìýno. 32c;ÌýConstable-Maxwell Collection 1979,Ìýlot 38;Ìýand Grose 1989,Ìýno. 234.
The shape of the rust damage indicates either a repair of a large breakÌýor that at one time the bowl was on display on a bad metal mounting, presumably propped up like a modern decorative plate.
5. Flask (CU 28,997) [2008.18.2.6]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý15.7Ìýcm
Diameter (max.):Ìý10.2 cm
Roman, 1st century C.E.
Classification: Isings Form 70;ÌýHarden Fabric 3
Description: Unworked lip with short, vaguelyÌýfunnel-shaped mouth. At junction of funnel and neck is a closed tubular fold. It is hollow on the inside but appears as an added coil from the exterior. Relatively tall cylindrical neck with abrupt transition to globular body. Rounded base. Original color obscured byÌýiridescence.ÌýMuch flaking.ÌýBlown.
Comment: Vessberg 1953,Ìýpl. 58, no. 110;ÌýHayes 1975,Ìýno.Ìý146;ÌýConstable-Maxwell CollectionÌý1979, lot 125;Ìýand Stern 2001,Ìýnos. 37, 38 and 103: all belong to Isings Form 70Ìýand all have similar bodies to this flask. The rims of all of these vessels, however,Ìýare folded downwards, whereas the fold in the rim of this flask creates a ridge.ÌýThe dating of this vessel is based on the dates of the examples above and Isings’ remarks on the form.ÌýThis stylistic variation is slight enough that this flask could easily have been made in the same area as any of the examples cited.ÌýThe rim of Davidson 1952,Ìýno. 796, which dates to the 15th century C.E. or later, is also comparable,Ìýas is Weinberg and Stern 2009 G 16, which dates to the 16th to 17th century C.E.Ìý
6. Bottle with Funnel Mouth (CU 29,000) [2008.18.2.7]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý7.6Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 5.1 cm
Roman, late 2ndÌýcentury C.E.
Classification: Isings Form 92;ÌýHarden Fabric 6
Description: Uneven lip with short funnel-shaped mouth. Narrow cylindrical neck that tapers out toward bottom. Smooth transition from neck to bulbous body with rounded base. Purple with whiteÌýtrail would spirally fromÌýbase to middle of neck.ÌýSome iridescenceÌýand flaking.ÌýBlown, thread applied afterwardsÌý(11).Ìý
Comment: The purple color comes from the exposure of manganese compounds in the glass to sunlightÌý(12).ÌýSimilar examples are Eisen 1927, pl. 90;ÌýDusenbery 1967,Ìýno. 17;ÌýHayes 1975, no. 112;ÌýFitzwilliam Museum 1978, no. 93c;ÌýConstable-Maxwell Collection 1979,Ìýlot 55;ÌýWhitehouse 2001, no. 700; Schlick-Nolte 2002, no. V-51;Ìýand Weinberg and Stern 2009, G 128.Ìý
7. Unguentarium (CU 28,994) [2008.18.2.8]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 12.2Ìýcm
Diameter (max.):Ìý2.5 cm
Roman, 1st century C.E.
Classification: Isings Form 9;ÌýHarden Fabric 7
Description: Rounded rim folded in. Tall cylindrical neck with smooth transition to rounded shoulder. Body tapers conically downward and ends in rounded boss at bottom. Dark blue. Large bubbles in fabric. Opaque due to dirt encrustation, especially on neck. Solid lip of dirt or grit inside that rattles when shaken.ÌýBlown.
Comment: Most other examples of this type have rounded bodies that taper downward (e.g., Isings’ line-drawing (13)), so this piece could be a slightly later development or a regional variation.ÌýThe closest parallels (all of which have rounded bodies) are Simonett 1941, fig. 62, no. 16a;ÌýHayes 1975, nos. 102 and 103;ÌýFleming 1996, fig. 18 (which is mold blown);Ìýand Whitehouse 2001, no. 770.
8. Unguentarium (no CU accession number) [2008.18.2.9]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 11.2Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 1.9 cm
Roman, Late 1st century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Forms 8;ÌýHarden Fabric 9
Description:ÌýRounded rim, folded in. Tall cylindrical neck flares at both ends. Slight constriction toward base of neck. Smooth transition to base with slightly flared straight walls. Base concave. Green.ÌýIridescenceÌýnear rim and central constriction, with a pale residue inside. Modern metal stand, glued to base.ÌýBlown.
Comment: Vessels of this type appear as early as Augustan times at Magdalensberg, Austria, and in the second half of the 1st century C.E.Ìýthey become very numerous. For example, large quantities of them have been found at Pompeii and Herculaneum (14).ÌýThe fabric of this specimen is suggestive of mass production, which supports a late 1st century C.E. date. Similar examples include Hayes 1975,Ìýnos. 235, 570, 630, and 666;ÌýFitzwilliam MuseumÌý1978,Ìýno. 64b;ÌýFleming 1996, fig. 16;Ìýand Whitehouse 1997, nos. 228 and 241.Ìý
The metal stand affixed to the vessel and the and the residue inside may be evidence that this unguentarium was once used as an inkwellÌý(15).
9. Candlestick Unguentarium (CU 29,004) [2008.18.2.10]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 14.5Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 5.3 cm
Roman, 2nd century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 82A(1);ÌýHarden Fabric 9
Description: Flat rim folded over unevenly. Tall, cylindrical neck flares outward at both ends. Smooth transition to squat globular body.ÌýOriginal color obscured by white debris, probably pale green. Body shattered and repaired by gluing or cementing; hence body is solid and completely filled in.ÌýBlown.
Comment: Though this form is classified as Isings Form 82A(1), it differs in a number of ways: there is no constriction at the base of the neck, the base is rounded rather than flat (though the vessel can still stand on its own), and the neck tapers out at both ends. However, these differences may not altogether be significantÌý(16).ÌýThe unevenness of the rim suggests mass production. Close parallels are Hayes 1975, nos. 227 (from Palestine), 253Ìýand 498 (both from Cyprus), and 573;Ìýand Whitehouse 1997, nos. 251 and 270.
10. Pyriform Unguentarium (CU 29,002) [2008.18.2.11]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 5.6Ìýcm
Diameter (max.):Ìý4.8 cm
Roman, 3rd century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 26a;ÌýHarden Fabric 3
Description:ÌýWide mouth with rounded rim folded in. Relatively short neck with concave profile and smooth transition to globular body. Flattened base. Clear with bluish-green tint.ÌýSomeÌýiridescenceÌýand flaking.ÌýBlown.
Comment:ÌýSix similar specimens are in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (Hayes 1975, nos. 271, 272, 291, 294, 323 and 474). See also Goldman 1950, no. 25;ÌýIsings 1971, no. 241 (at Heerlen);ÌýWhitehouse 1997, nos. 286 and 289;Ìýand Whitehouse 1998, no. 94.
11. AmphoriskosÌý(CU 28,996) [2008.18.2.12]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 9.5Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 4.4Ìýcm
Roman, 1stÌýcentury C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 120a;ÌýHarden Fabric 6
Description:ÌýIrregular rim, folded-in, with wide mouth. Handle on one side connects rim to shoulder with pronounced attachment points. Short, irregularly-formed neck. Pronounced, rounded shoulder. Ovoid body. Base tapers to a rounded point.ÌýOriginal color completelyÌýobscured byÌýiridescence. Much flaking.ÌýBlown,Ìýhandle added separately (17).
Comment:ÌýThe shape of this jug, which has also been described as "bomboid"Ìý(18),Ìýis straightforward, yet difficult to classify.ÌýIsings Form 120a has a small base ring, but not a point. The shape of the body is closer to Form 60 (amphoriskos with a pointed base). Direct parallels are not forthcoming. Mariacher 1961, pl. 17;ÌýHayes 1975, no. 284; ²¹²Ô»åÌýConstable-Maxwell CollectionÌý1979, lot 255, have globular bodies rather than ovoid, and Hayes 1975, nos. 286 and 339 have similar bodies except for the flattened base and pour spout. Hayes 1975,Ìýno. 415Ìýis close in shape, save for the ribs on the body. Perhaps the most similar is Charleston and Archer 1977, no. 8, which in all respects is very close to this jug except for the flattened base.
12. Sprinkler Flask (CU 22,320) [2008.18.2.13]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 8.1Ìýcm
Diameter (max.)Ìý7.1Ìýcm
Roman, 3rd century C.E.
Classification:ÌýHarden Fabric 3
Description:ÌýWide, flat rim. Cylindrical neck, constricted at its base with abrupt transition to globular body. Small base foot. Greenish yellow inside, otherwise translucent.ÌýBlown.Ìý
Comment:ÌýThe constriction in the neck of this vessel allowed a bather to apply single drops of perfume to their bodies (19).ÌýThis sprinkler is a less elaborate version of such bottles as Hayes 1975,Ìýno. 282, and Stern 2001, no. 140, which have faint diagonal ribs, ²¹²Ô»åÌýFitzwilliam MuseumÌý1978,Ìýno. 105a, which has a honeycomb pattern.
Though there is no record as to when or how the museum acquired this piece, it has been part of the collection since at least 1979, as it was exhibited that year by the chemistry department as part of a lecture byÌýCyril Stanley Smith, a metallurgist and science historian who worked on the Manhattan Project.
13. Sprinkler Flask (CU 28,999) [2008.18.2.14]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 8.9Ìýcm
Diameter (max.):Ìý6.6 cm
Roman, 3rd century C.E.
Classification: Harden Fabric 4
Description:ÌýWide, flat lip with short neck. Constriction at base of neck. Bulbous body with rounded base. Eight short ribs or fins encircle body at irregular vertical positions.ÌýGreen.ÌýSomeÌýiridescenceÌýand flaking.ÌýBlown, ribs tweezed.
Comment:ÌýThe CU collection containsÌýanother example of a Roman sprinkler. The shape of this sprinkler is closest to Stern 2001, no. 134, and the ribs resemble those of Stern 2001, no. 136.
14. Aryballos (CU 29,005) [2008.18.2.15]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 8.3Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 6.4Ìýcm
Roman, 3rd to 4th century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 61;ÌýHarden Fabric 4 or debased Fabric 3
Description:ÌýThick rim folded out. Two trailed handles attached from either side of rim to shoulder. Short funnel neck. Body spherical, but somewhat flattened. Fluting on lower half of body. Relatively thick base concave with pontil mark (20).ÌýTransparent with bluish-green tint.ÌýSomeÌýiridescenceÌýand dirt. Crack beneath one handle.ÌýBlown,Ìýhandles added separately.
Comment:ÌýThis design is in imitation of bronze and ceramic vessels of similar function (21).ÌýExamples come from all over the Roman Empire, but a disproportionately large number have been excavated north of the Black Sea (22). Other examples are Isings 1971, no. 42 (in Heerlen);ÌýHayes 1975, no. 119;Ìýand Sorokina 1987,Ìýfig. 1.1.
15. Bottle with Funnel Neck (CU 28,992) [2008.18.2.16]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian ²¹²Ô»åÌýJustine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 17.0 cm
Diameter (max.): 7.1Ìýcm
Roman, 3rd to 4th century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 103;ÌýHarden Fabric 4
Description:ÌýTall, narrow funnel neck with unworked rim. Base of neck slightly rounded and then constricted at shoulder. Globular body with flat base.ÌýIridescenceÌýobscures original color. Much flaking. Some weathering on body from a bad metal mount (23).ÌýBlown, perhaps in two pieces.Ìý
Comment: This form generally has an unworked rim, but some examples (von Saldern 1980, no. 156Ìýand Whitehouse 1997, no. 311) do have small lips. Other bottles with unworked rims are Clairmont 1963,Ìýnos. 543, 544, and 546-9Ìýand Hayes 1975, nos. 288, 289, and 541. An especially colorful version is Stern 2001, no. 129.
16. Flask with Funnel Neck (CU 28,993) [2008.18.2.17]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý10.2 cm
Diameter (max.):Ìý6.1 cm
Roman, 4th century C.E.
Classification:ÌýIsings Form 104b;ÌýHarden Fabric 4
Description:ÌýFunnel mouth with roundedÌýrim. BulbousÌýbody, without base ring. Low relief fluting on body, resulting in nine ribs that reach halfway up body. Pontil mark on base. Green.ÌýSomeÌýiridescenceÌýand flaking.ÌýBlown, with ribs pinched during reheating.(24).
Comment:ÌýVessels of this sort were probably used as a table ware for wine and other liquids (25).ÌýExamples of this form come from all over the Roman Empire. Similar examples are Harden 1966, fig. 10;ÌýStern 2001, nos. 104 and 105; Whitehouse 1997, no. 312; and possibly Gorin-Rosen 2004,Ìýno. 11 (26).ÌýSee also Hayes 1975,Ìýnos. 316 and 317, which have similar shapes but lack fluting.
17. Basket-HandledÌýDouble Unguentarium [2008.18.2.18]
Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý17.0 cm
Diameter (max.): 4.8Ìýcm
Roman, 4th to 5th century C.E.
Classification:ÌýHarden Fabric 9
Description:ÌýHigh basket handle, roundedÌýand attached to either side of the folded-in rims of twin tubular bodies. Double chambers formed either by pinching single open vessel or folding over.ÌýBodies of adjoined tubes narrow slightly at center and appear wedged or pinched at base. Yellow with greenish tint. Crack at base of handle, apparently glued.ÌýBlown.Ìý
Comment:ÌýThe double unguentarium occurs almost exclusively in Syria and Palestine in the 4th and 5th centuries C.E. (27). A 4th century C.E. example of this type of handle comes from a tomb at Beit Fajjar in Palestine (Husseini 1935,Ìýpl. 85, no. 3) (28). Other examples are Ayalon 1994,Ìýfig. 5;ÌýStern 2001, no. 179; and Whitehouse 2001, no. 748. More elaborate versions are numerous, including even quadruple unguentariaÌý(29).ÌýOne specimen from Palestine seems to have been used for eye paintÌýand it is probable this vessel served a similar purpose (30).Ìý
Appendix: A Macedonian Alabaster Vessel in the University of Colorado Museum
18. StoneÌýAlabastron (CU 22,718) [2008.18.2.2]
Gift of the May Company (1969)
Ìý(2008)
Height:Ìý8.9 cm
Diameter (max.):Ìý4.8 cm
Macedonian, 4th century B.C.E.
Description:ÌýLip missing. Rim chipped but repaired by means of an adhesive bandage. Roughly cylindrical shape with slight increase in diameter at middle. Cream-grey alabaster (i.e., calcareous sinter). Some weathering on bottom. ProbablyÌýmade with tubular drillÌý(31).
Comment: This vase was originally identified as Egyptian from the 1st millennium B.C.E. but was re-identified in 2017 as a 4th century B.C.E. Macedonian vessel by Dr. Sarah James.Ìý
The term 'alabaster' was used in antiquity to refer to travertine, a type of limestone formed by the chemical precipitation of water saturated with dissolved calcium carbonate. There are two varieties of travertine:Ìýcalcerous tufa and calcareous sinter. TheÌýlatter was used by the Egyptians to make stone vessels. In the 18th century C.E. the term was used to refer to a form of gypsum that resembled travertineÌýand travertine was referred to as Egyptian alabaster or onyx marble, both of which terms are misleading (32).
Alabastra made of glass, constructed on the same motif as those of alabaster, were very numerous in Egypt and Syria throughout the 1st millennium B.C.E.Ìýand spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean (33).Ìý
Footnotes
- Good introductions to Roman glass (with bibliographies) are HardenÌý1969Ìýand SternÌý1999.
- For a brief introduction to the weathering of ancient glass, see FlemingÌý1997, p. 61-2.
- IsingsÌý1957; HardenÌý1936, p. 20-4; GroseÌý1987, p. 130-1.
- Weinberg and Stern 2009: 17.Ìý
- This judgment is based primarily on the one surviving handle and the shape of the body.
- For core-forming and references see GroseÌý1987, p. 31.ÌýCore-forming creates a rough interior surface, which is visible in this vessel on account of its fragmentary condition.
- See Tressaud and Vickers 2007.ÌýOn Murrhine ware see .
- ForÌýzarte Rippenschalen, see von SaldernÌý1980, p. 12-3.
- See GroseÌý1987, p. 32Ìýfor a description of this technique.
- IsingsÌý1957, p. 20-1.
- SternÌý2001, p. 57.
- LucasÌý1962, p. 187.ÌýFor the standard chemical composition of Roman glass, see BrillÌý1967, p. 91Ìýand FlemingÌý1997, p. 10.
- IsingsÌý1957, p. 25.
- WhitehouseÌý1997, p. 136;ÌýIsingsÌý1957, p. 24.
- This idea was suggested to me by Dr. BethÌýDusinberre.
- See discussion at WhitehouseÌý1997, p. 147-8.
- See Harden 1936, p. 16.
- Kris Anderson, personal communication.
- EisenÌý1927, p. 333-6.
- For pontil scars see SternÌý1999, p. 448.
- IsingsÌý1957, p. 78-81.
- SorokinaÌý1987, p. 40.
- This judgment was made by my colleague Kris Anderson.
- SternÌý2001, p. 218.
- HardenÌý1936, p. 185.
- See IsingsÌý1957, pp. 123-5Ìýfor western examples.
- HardenÌý1969, p. 63, n. 91; also Charleston and ArcherÌý1977, p. 74.
- See also HardenÌý1966, fig. 9.
- E.g., MaricharÌý1961, pl. 17; BaramkiÌý1967, pl. 22; HardenÌý1969, pl. 11F; HayesÌý1975, nos. 360 and 458; Charleston and ArcherÌý1977, no. 12;ÌýFitzwilliam MuseumÌý1978, no. 109; FlemingÌý1997, pls. 15 and 88.ÌýExamples of quadruple unguentaria areÌýConstable-Maxwell CollectionÌý1979, lots 243 and 245.
- SternÌý2001, p. 317.
- LucasÌý1962, p. 425-6.
- HarrellÌý1990, p. 37-42.
- EisenÌý1927, p. 121-2.ÌýFor examples of glass alabastra from Egypt, see HoneyÌý1946, pls. 1A and 1D.
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