This elegant glass vessel would have been used to store cosmetics or perfumed oils. The shape, which is Greek in form, is very distinctive and similar examples have been found across the Mediterranean world from Spain in the west, to Syria and Jordan in the east. The main centre of production is still disputed, but the principle contender is the island of Rhodes. One of the most important commercial centres in the Eastern Mediterranean, it had a lively trade in cosmetics and it is possible that the glass- making industry developed in response to this.At the time of this vessel’s production, the technique of glass-blowing had not yet been discovered. Instead the hollow was formed by covering a clay core with molten glass. The core was formed around a metal rod that was held during the vessel’s preparation. After the glass had cooled the core was scraped out. The decoration was added by winding thin trails of various colours around the vessel and working them with a comb. Finally the vessel was rolled on the surface of a smooth stone tablet and the trails were marvered into the walls. This was a highly skilled and time-consuming process that resulted in works of great beauty.

Antiquities
Ancient Greek