Bottle

Art Historical Context

This elegant glass bottle, likely crafted in the 18th or 19th century, the refined artistry of Islamic glassmaking. Standing at 8 9/16 inches tall, it was formed through masterful blown glass techniques—where molten glass is blown into shape—followed by applied decorations, painting, and tooled finishing. These methods allowed artisans to create delicate, functional vessels with vibrant surface embellishments, often used for perfumes, oils, or spices in daily life or elite households across the Islamic world. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department, the bottle entered the collection via the Edward C. Moore bequest in 1891. Such objects highlight the technical prowess of Islamic craftsmen, who advanced glassblowing from medieval innovations into ornate, exportable luxuries. Though the artist remains unknown, the bottle's survival speaks to the durability and aesthetic appeal of these wares, bridging utility and beauty in Ottoman, Persian, or North African traditions. Visitors will appreciate how its subtle curves and painted details evoke the opulence of bygone eras, inviting a closer look at the interplay of light and color on glass.