349. Sprinkler Flask

Accession Number 2003.438
Dimensions H. 11.4, Diam. rim 5.3, max. Diam. 7.5, Diam. base 3.4 cm; Wt. 85.42 g
Date Third–fourth centuries CE
Production Area Syria
Material Translucent amber-greenish glass
Modeling Technique and Decoration Free-blown; pinched
View in Collection

Condition

Intact. Some white weathering and iridescence on parts of the exterior; incrustation in areas of the interior.

Description

Fire-polished, rounded rim; funnel mouth; short, cylindrical neck, severely constricted at its base, creating a diaphragm; globular body; slightly concave bottom. At the center of the bottom, an annular pontil mark (W. approx. 1, Th. 0.1 cm) is visible. Eight pinched protuberances are arranged roughly in two rows around the body.

Comments and Comparanda

On sprinklers, see cat. 344. For parallels, see , p. 270, no. 420. For examples with multiple rows of pinches, see , p. 216, no. 43; , p. 248, no. 134; , p. 161, type B.XII.211, 214, plate 49:2, 7. For sprinkler flasks of the same form, with pinched fins, see cat. 347.

Provenance

By 1974–1988, Erwin Oppenländer, 1901–1988 (Waiblingen, Germany), by inheritance to his son, Gert Oppenländer, 1988; 1988–2003, Gert Oppenländer (Waiblingen, Germany), sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2003

Bibliography

, p. 237, no. 695.

Exhibitions

Gläser der Antike: Sammlung Erwin Oppenländer (Hamburg and Cologne, 1974–1975)