Condition
Heavily weathered and incrusted with a blue and green iridescence, especially around the shoulder and the interior of the lip.
Description
Fire-polished, flaring rim, slightly thicker on one side; cylindrical neck with constriction at mid-height; spherical body; bottom flat, slightly convex. A deep pontil scar (2 × 1.5 cm) is visible at the center of the bottom.
Comments and Comparanda
This is a very simple form of utilitarian vessel that was produced at many sites in the Islamic world, its shape suitable for meeting everyday needs without any particular modifications. A similar vessel was found in Fustat, Egypt (Scanlon, George T., and Ralph H. Pinder-Wilson. 2001. Fustat Glass of the Early Islamic Period: Finds Excavated by the American Research Center in Egypt, 1964–1980. London: Altajir World of Islam Trust., p. 31, form 10a), and Nishapur, Iran (Kröger, Jens. 1995. Nishapur: Glass of the Early Islamic Period. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art., pp. 72–73, nos. 90–92); another is in the Newark Museum (Auth, Susan Handler. 1976. Ancient Glass at the Newark Museum from the Eugene Schaefer Collection of Antiquities. Newark, NJ: Newark Museum., p. 164, no. 220). Cf. also von Saldern, Axel. 1974. Glassammlung Hentrich. Antike und Islam. Düsseldorf: Kunstmuseum., p. 221, no. 336, for a parallel decorated with an applied thread.
Provenance
1930, Valentine Everit Macy, Sr., American, 1871–1930; 1930–1938, Estate of Valentine Everit Macy, Sr., American, 1871–1930 [sold, Anderson Galleries, Inc., New York, January 6–8, 1938, lot 223]; 1940, Harry Leonard Simmons [sold, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, April 5, 1940, lot 122, through French and Co. to J. Paul Getty]; 1940–1976, J. Paul Getty, American, 1892–1976, upon his death, held in trust by the estate; 1976–1978, Estate of J. Paul Getty, American, 1892–1976, distributed to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 1978
Bibliography
Anderson Galleries. 1937. The V. Everit Macy Collection: Including Rare and Important Persian and Mesopotamian Pottery, Persian and Indian Miniatures, Persian Brocades and Velvet Carpets. Property of the Estate of the Late V. Everit Macy. Sold by order of the executors, January 6–8, 1938, sale cat. New York: American Art Association, Anderson Galleries., lot 223, ill.
Paintings by Contemporary Artists: Brackman, Corbino, Philipp, Pushman, Lebduska, and Other Works by an Older Generation of Artists. Other Art Objects from the Collection of H. Leonard Simmons, New York, Sold by His Order: Public Sale, Paintings, April 4–5, 1940, sale cat. New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries., lot 122, ill.
Stothart, Herbert. 1965. A Handbook of the Sculpture in the J. Paul Getty Museum. Malibu: J. Paul Getty Museum., p. 20, no. F-12.
Hess, Catherine, ed. 2004. The Arts of Fire: Islamic Influences on Glass and Ceramics of the Italian Renaissance, exh. cat. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum., pp. 78–79, plate 2.
Exhibitions
The Arts of Fire: Islamic Influences on the Italian Renaissance (Los Angeles, 2004)
Reflecting Antiquity: Modern Glass Inspired by Ancient Rome (Malibu, 2007–2008; Corning, 2008)