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Cosmetic Container

A work made of glass, blown technique.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of glass, blown technique.

Date:

4th-6th century

Artist:

Ancient Mediterranean

About this artwork

Initially affordable only among the wealthy, glass was used in ancient Rome to create tableware and containers for oils and perfume. The variety of glass-making techniques reveals the changing tastes and fashions over the centuries. During the 1st century, cast glass was a novel form and a luxury for Roman households. By the end of the century, however, innovations in technique allowed for cheaper and less labor-intensive production, making it affordable to people of lesser means. Blown glass nearly supplanted ceramic and even bronze wares in popularity. This prestige carried well into the Byzantine period.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

Culture

Ancient Mediterranean

Title

Cosmetic Container

Place

Mediterranean Region (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

301 CE–600 CE

Medium

Glass, blown technique

Dimensions

10.3 × 5.1 × 3.8 cm (4 1/16 × 2 × 1 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson

Reference Number

1947.920

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/61988/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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