Transparent blue-green glass bottle with two curling handles, spherical body, and short neck widening to a rounded, wide lip
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

The exterior of this transparent blue-green glass bottle is mottled with patches of tan, gray, and gold. The rounded, apple-shaped body has a slimmer, short neck that flares into a wide, slightly rounded lip. There are two delicate handles that attach to the shoulder, then slightly curl outward and fold in and over on themselves until they wrap up over the top of the lip. Where they attach to the shoulder, the left handle has a shiny blue colored patch of glass, and the right handle has a dark green colored patch.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2003.100.1
Title
Aryballos (oil bottle)
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
vessel
Date
2nd-4th century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/92090

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Glass
Technique
Free-blown glass
Dimensions
8.5 x 6.9 cm (3 3/8 x 2 11/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Florence and Mason Hammond, Cambridge, MA (1970-2002), by descent; to Anstiss Krueck, Chicago, IL, Florence Phillips, Cos Cob, CT and Elizabeth Llewellyn, London (2002-2003), gift; to the Harvard University Art Museums, 2003.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of the daughters of Florence and Mason Hammond
Accession Year
2003
Object Number
2003.100.1
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Intact aryballos (oil flask) in transparent, blue-green glass. The vessel is free blown with a spherical body, short tube neck, and applied dolphin handles.

Classification: C. Isings, Roman Glass from Dated Finds (Djakarta: Groningen, 1957), form 61.
Commentary
Aryballoi such as this held the oil used by both men and women at the bath. The vessels were often strung on a chain for easy transport and in certain instances metal or glass stoppers have been found attached to the bottle. Both glass and terracott aryballoi are often found in domestic contexts.

Subjects and Contexts

  • Roman Domestic Art

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu