Jar

Art Historical Context

This delicate glass jar, dating to the 4th–5th century, exemplifies the artistry of early blown glassmaking in the ancient Near East. Standing just 2 13/16 inches (7.1 cm) tall, it was crafted using the innovative free-blowing technique—introduced centuries earlier—which allowed artisans to shape molten glass into lightweight, translucent forms with remarkable efficiency. Though classified among ceramics in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, its glass medium highlights the seamless blend of technologies in ancient workshops, likely from regions like Syria or Egypt during the Late Ant...