Altar cruet

Alter cruet made of purple-colored, mold-blown glass now partly covered by iridescence. Decoration on hexagonal body consists of cross potent on steps and on globe, leaved cross, and lozenge-shaped figure in rectangle, possibly standing for bookbinding and therefore symbolizing the Gospel. One of a pair with F1935.15.

Historical period(s)
6th or 7th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H x W: 15.7 x 10.1 cm (6 3/16 x 4 in)
Geography
Syria
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1935.16
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Glass, Vessel
Type

Altar cruet

Keywords
Roman Period (30 BCE - 395 CE), Syria
Provenance

To 1935
Fahim Kouchakji, New York. [1]

From 1935
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Fahim Kouchakji, New York. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Fahim Kouchakji

Description

Alter cruet made of purple-colored, mold-blown glass now partly covered by iridescence. Decoration on hexagonal body consists of cross potent on steps and on globe, leaved cross, and lozenge-shaped figure in rectangle, possibly standing for bookbinding and therefore symbolizing the Gospel. One of a pair with F1935.15.

Published References
  • Untitled Article. Washington, Monday, May 27, 1935. p. 2.
  • Richard Ettinghausen. Ancient Glass in the Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, 1962. p. 23, fig. 66.
Collection Area(s)
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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