Glass two-handled bottle (amphora)

Roman

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166

Translucent purple, with same color handles.
Everted rim, folded over, in and down into mouth; cylindrical neck, flaring at base to join sloping shoulder; elongated piriform body, tapering to pointed base with rounded end; two strap handles with vertical ribbing attached to shoulder, drawn up vertically, turned inward, one in a curve, the other at a right angle, and trailed on to neck below rim.
Intact; minor patches of soil encrustation; some dulling and iridescent weathering.

This deep purple vase is remarkable for its size and elegant simplicity. No close parallel is known, but it may be regarded as a rare masterpiece of early Roman blown glass.

Glass two-handled bottle (amphora), Glass, purple, Roman

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