Bottle
2nd-6th century
Medium
Glass, blown technique
Dimensions
6.7 × 2.9 cm (2 5/8 × 1 1/8 in.); Diam.: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
Classification
bottle
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
65650
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass bottle, crafted by Ancient Roman artisans between the 2nd and 6th centuries CE, exemplifies the ingenuity of Roman glassmaking during the height of the Empire and into the early Byzantine era. Standing just 6.7 cm tall with a diameter of 29 cm, its petite form suggests it held precious oils, perfumes, or medicines—everyday luxuries made accessible through innovative techniques. The standout feature is the blown glass method, a revolutionary process likely pioneered in the Syro-Palestinian region around the 1st century BCE and perfected across the Roman world. Artisans gath...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...