Roman Glass Pourer Flask 1st - 3rd Century CE

Technical Description 

An ancient Roman glass feeder or pourer flask, produced sometime between the years 1 - 300 AD. The glass material is of a translucent colourless hue. Free-blown and tooled, the vessel has a bulbous body with a pulled spout and cylindrical neck, which leads to an everted and flattened rim. A small pontil mark can be seen within the slightly concave base.

This is a particularly well-defined example of its form. You may find this type of vessel noted as a pourer or feeder flask with the shape itself most closely resembling that of an earlier Askos vessel. Researchers have more recently re-examined the context in which these particular flasks were excavated, they have determined that they were most likely used for suckling to feed infants.

Date & Origin 

Roman, Imperial Period, 1st - 3rd century CE. Eastern Mediterranean.

Condition

Professionally restored and displays well as shown. Some dulling and mild weathering with some residual encrustation. Patches of iridescence can be seen on the lip and through the body of the glass to the underside of the inner encrustation.

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 cm
Diameter: 8.5 cm

Historical Context

Other vessels of this form have been found excavated in Cyprus, some are documented as being found at a tomb in Idalion, modern Dali.

Documented Examples

Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest: https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/3499/ 

MET Museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/239665 

MET Museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/239666 

MET Museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/244650 

Princeton Art Museum: https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/collections/objects/22978