Jar with Alabaster Pattern

  • Eastern Mediterranean or Italy
  • 1st century
  • Glass
  • H-21.6 D-7.8
Catalogue Entry

Green, pale blue, and amber translucent glasses were blown into a marble pattern with white glass to create a long narrow jar. The base has a bit of an indention and jar is free-standing. This vessel shape is known as an alabastron and was first created in alabaster (a type of marble), and then later this shape was made in ceramic and glass wares. This is a relatively large jar made of marble glass to imitate the look of alabaster coloring. Today the patterning has iridescence that creates a beautifully colored striped pattern. This jar would have been used to hold either oil or perfume essence.