Amphoriskos (Container for Oil)

Description

Initially affordable only among the wealthy, glass was used in ancient Rome as containers for oils, perfume, and tablewares. The word “amphoriskos”, Greek for “small amphora”, refers to this object’s shape, a miniature version of the two-handled metal or ceramic vessels that contained oil or wine. Core-formed glass was made by dipping a removable core that gives the vessel its shape into a molten glass mixture.

Provenance

Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson, Chicago, by 1931; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1949.

Amphoriskos (Container for Oil)

Ancient Mediterranean

2nd-1st century BCE

Accession Number

67493

Medium

Glass, core-formed technique

Dimensions

15.2 × 7 × 7 cm (6 × 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in.)

Classification

glass

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson