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Unknown Maker

Cosmetic Jar (Unguentarium)
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker

Title

Cosmetic Jar (Unguentarium)

Period

Late Hellenistic period

Year

200-1 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Geography

Region: Eastern Mediterranean

Dimensions

16.2 x 5.7 cm (6 3/8 x 2 1/4 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

27.212

Type

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

This core-formed miniature flask was used to hold perfumes or oils. Made in Syrio-Palestine, its core of sand, clay, and dung was coated in molten glass. The vessel was shaped and decorated; once cool, the core was scraped out. The colorful design was created by trailing or spiraling molten threads of differently colored glass around the vessel as it was spun. These threads of color were then dragged up or down the flask, forming the feathered zigzag pattern.

Glass from the Museum's Collection
Jan 17, 1973 – Mar 10, 1974

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker
Cosmetic Jar (Unguentarium), 200-1 BCE
Glass, core-formed
16.2 x 5.7 cm (6 3/8 x 2 1/4 inches)
Museum Appropriation Fund 27.212

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