Images(4)

cosmetic tube

Object NameAnimal with Double Cosmetic Tube

Made FromGlass

Date600-799

TechniqueBlown, tooled, applied

SizeOverall H: 11.3 cm, W: 7.9 cm, D: 3.1 cm

Accession Number55.1.109

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Antikes Glas aus der Sammlung Ray Winfield Smith

Glass from the Ancient World

Verres Antiques de la Collection R.W. Smith

Antikes Glas aus der Sammlung Ray Winfield Smith: Kurpfalzischen Museum Heidelberg

Steuben Glass Animals

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Glassmaking was one of many crafts that flourished in the Sasanian Empire, and numerous products have come to light. Unfortunately, because our knowledge of Sasanian glass is somewhat limited, we cannot be sure whether some of these objects are Sasanian, Byzantine, or early Islamic. One example is this double cosmetic tube supported by two horses. It had both functional and decorative uses. Tubular containers for cosmetics mounted on zoomorphic figures were made in the Syrian region. The idea of supporting small containers with animal forms may have derived from the production of glass toys and figurines. More than 20 such objects are found in museums around the world. Some of the tubes are surrounded by an openwork “cage” made with trails of molten glass.

Place Made

possibly Syria

Physical DescriptionAnimal with Double Cosmetic Tube. Almost colorless, with greenish, purple, and dark bluish-green glass; blown, tooled, applied. Double tube: two tubes, side by side, made from single bubble of glass by pinching sides vertically to form diaphragm. Rims (D. 1.1-1.2 cm) thickened slightly, with rounded lip; walls vertical; base embedded in body of animal. Applied decoration: single trail wrapped spirally 21 times around both tubes, from 2.9 cm to 7.5 cm below rims. Animal has two heads and two tails, but only four legs. Body and legs consist of single bit manipulated to form flat, rectangular body (L. about 4.5 cm, W. about 2.3 cm, Th. 0.7 cm) and short legs with bulbous feet; legs are straight, those at front point forward, and those at rear point back; bottom of double tube protrudes very slightly on underside of body. Heads consist of single bit manipulated to form two necks and heads, each with bulbous nose, and with green coil applied to forehead. Tails also consist of single bit, in this case manipulated to two upward projections shaped like pointed leaves.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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