Glass amphoriskos (perfume bottle)
Unknown Artist
late 6th–5th century BCE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Diam.: 2 7/8 in. (7.2 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture & Period
Greek, Eastern Mediterranean · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.194.790
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass amphoriskos a small perfume bottle from the late 6th to 5th century BCE offers a glimpse into the refined world of Classical Greek culture in the Eastern Mediterranean. Measuring just 2 7/8 inches (7.2 cm) in, its compact, elegant form was designed to hold precious oils or fragrances—essentials for personal grooming, rituals, and social gatherings like symposia. Such vessels highlight the Greeks' appreciation for luxury and beauty in everyday life, the Archaic and Classical periods when art and craftsmanship flourished. Crafted from glass, a medium that was both technicall...