Wafer-thin glass bottle, 1st century AD
Wafer-thin glass, possibly flame-worked from a glass tube
(H x Ø)7,2 × 5,1 cm
Place of originMiddle East or Italy
About the workIt would have taken a potter or a silversmith a lot of experience and effort to be able to produce the delicacy and perfection of such simple outlines. With the technique of glass blowing – the most significant revolution in hollow glass production – such shapes occur practically of their own accord. The vessel probably dates back to the early days of this new technology. First, different coloured glass was fused together, then it was picked up with the glassmaker’s blowpipe and blown just enough to create a drop shape.
AccessionGift of Helmut Hentrich, 1980
Inventory numberP 1980-53
