Islamic Glass Alembic - SF.295, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 4.75" (12.1cm) wide, Collection: Islamic, Style: Free-Blown/Tooled, Medium: Glass. This glass vessel is composed of a deep cup and a long spout or pipe. Similar pieces have been found across the Islamic world from northern Africa to Uzbekistan. There are two interpretaions as to the function of these objects in the literature. Sometimes they are referred to as cupping glasses used by physicians for blood- letting. The Islamic world was renowned for the study of medicine and such objects shed important light on its practice. They are also referred to as 'alembics.' These were used by alchemists in distillation apparatuses designed for a variety of purposes. These included the production of alcohol, perfume, rosewater and date oil. The alembic was the part of the apparatus where the vapour was turned into a liquid state.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East