Published: May 15, 2018 By

Catalogue EntryÌýPhotograph of a dark glass vessel with an oviod body that tapers to a point, a relatively short neck that tapers outward to the mouth, and a handle that connects the body to the mouth, from the side against a neutral gray background.

From the Catalogue ofÌýAncient Glass in the University of Colorado Museum

Gift of H. Medill Sarkisian and Justine Sarkisian Rodriguez (1979)
Ìý(2008)
Height: 9.5Ìýcm
Diameter (max.): 4.4Ìýcm
Roman, 1st century C.E.

Classification:ÌýIsings Form 120a;ÌýHarden Fabric 6

Description: Irregular rim, folded-in, with wide mouth. Handle on one side connects rim to shoulder with pronounced attachment points. Short, irregularly-formed neck. Pronounced, rounded shoulder. Ovoid body. Base tapers to a rounded point.ÌýOriginal color completely . Much flaking. Blown,Ìýhandle added separately.

Comment:ÌýThe shape of this jug, which has also been described as "bomboid,"Ìýis straightforward, yet it is difficult to classify. Isings Form 120a has a small base ring, but not a point. The shape of the body is closer to Form 60 (amphoriskos with a pointed base). Direct parallels are not forthcoming. Mariacher 1961, pl. 17;ÌýHayes 1975, no. 284; andÌýConstable-Maxwell CollectionÌý1979, lot 255, have globular bodies rather than ovoid, and Hayes 1975, nos. 286 and 339 have similar bodies except for the flattened base and pour spout. Hayes 1975,Ìýno. 415Ìýis close in shape, save for the ribs on the body. Perhaps the most similar is Charleston and Archer 1977, no. 8, which in all respects is very close to this jug except for the flattened base.

Discussion

We cannot be sure what the original color of the glass was, due to how the jug aged. The chemicals which made up the glass began to break down, causing iridescence. It became so severe that the color was concealed underneath the weathering and damage.

This vessel was originally identified as being a 3rd century C.E. production but was updated in 2017 to 1st century C.E. by Dr. Sarah James (Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder) on the basis of its blue color.Ìý

The Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcollection also contains a much earlier Eastern Mediterranean example of an amphoriskos.

References

  • Catalogue of the Constable-Maxwell Collection of Ancient Glass.ÌýLondon: Maggs Brothers,Ìý1979.
  • Charleston, R. J.Ìýand M. Archer.ÌýGlass and Stained Glass.ÌýFribourg: National Trust, Office du Livre,Ìý1977.
  • Hayes, J. W.ÌýRoman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum.Ìý°Õ´Ç°ù´Ç²Ô³Ù´Ç:Ìý1975.
  • Mariacher, G.ÌýItalian Blown Glass from Ancient Rome to Venice.ÌýNew York: McGraw-Hill,Ìý1961.