Glass jug
Unknown Artist
mid-1st–2nd century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm) Other: 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm) Diam. of rim: 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture & Period
Roman · Early to Mid Imperial
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.144
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass jug, dating to the mid-1st to 2nd century CE,ails from the Early to Mid Imperial Roman period exemplifies the everyday elegance of Roman craftsmanship. Standing just 3 3/16 inches (8.1 cm) tall with a rim diameter of 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm), its petite size suggests it was likely for pouring oils, perfumes, or small amounts of wine at the table—intimate vessels that brought luxury to daily life. Roman glassmaking reached new heights during this era, following the invention of glassblowing in the late 1st century BCE. This technique allowed artisans to create thin-walled, tra...