Description:

Roman Empire, Egypt to Syria region, Late Imperial to Byzantine period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A petite aqua-blue glass flask encased in woven cotton textiles with a wad of cloth forming a stopper. Remains of a black powder, likely kohl, is still held within! In the middle east, kohl holders known as mukholeh/makhaleh are traditionally fabricated to look like pillows, the textiles sometimes covered in embroidery, beadwork, and shells. Ground up minerals such as coal and stibnite have been used as eyeliner for thousands of years throughout the classical world and central Asia. The sooty black would protect the eye from the sun, and probably make a dramatic smokey eye shadow. Ornate containers were carried as status markers and they were often buried their owners. The size and general shape of aqua glass here suggests a Roman style of jar known as a tear drop vial (lacrymatory). Size: 4" L x 2.5" W (10.2 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177754

  • Condition: Fraying and losses to threads on the textiles. Remains of black powder inside. Textile plug is frayed but removable. Cannot fully examine glass jar due to textile cover but rim and neck are intact.

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June 1, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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