cosmetic tube

Object NameCosmetic Tube

Made FromGlass

Date400-499

TechniqueBlown, applied, tooled

SizeOverall H: 39 cm, W: 9.6 cm

Accession Number54.1.100

Curatorial Area(s)

Ancient

Exhibitions

Glass of the Caesars

Ambrose and Agustine: The Origins of Europe

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Single, double, and occasionally quadruple tubes were used in the Near East to contain cosmetic preparations. This example, one of the largest known, was probably intended for display, because the elaborate handle makes it very difficult to extract the contents from the tubes.

Place Made

Roman Empire; Eastern Mediterranean

Physical DescriptionTranslucent green and dark bluish-green glass; blown, applied, tooled. Translucent green body has four cylindrical compartments made from single bubble of glass by pinching sides to form diaphragms; compartments linked across solid base; rim turned in and down; sides vertical, tapering at bottom; base flat. Body decorated by attached trail to side of each compartment immediately above bottom; drawn up to rim in eight folds, each attached to side. Next trail attached to lip, pulled down over entire length of folds and pinched in series of horizontal projections. Dark bluish-green applied and tooled handle constructed on body trails and rim creating M-shaped elements.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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