Bottle with Four Handles

Art Historical Context

This delicate blue glass bottle, titled *Bottle with Four Handles*, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of 19th Islamic glassmaking. Standing just 5 3/4 inches tall, it features a slender form created through blown glass techniques, with a distinctive hollow folded foot for stability and four applied handles that add both functionality and elegance. The vibrant blue hue and meticulously applied decorations highlight the artisan's mastery, transforming a utilitarian object into a work of art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department Islamic Art, this piece belongs to the Edward C. Moore Collection, bequeathed in 1891. In the Islamic world, such bottles were often used for perfumes, oils, or rosewater, reflecting everyday luxury and the cultural emphasis on beauty in functional items. The anonymous artist's use of trailing and applied elements underscores the continuity of glassblowing traditions from earlier centuries, blending innovation with time-honored methods. Visitors will appreciate how this small vessel captures the allure of Islamic decorative arts—its translucent glow and symmetrical design inviting closer inspection, a testament to the enduring sophistication of 19th-century artisans.