Roman Glass Sprinkler Flask in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2011

Glass snake-thread sprinkler flask

Period: Mid Imperial Date: 3rd century A.D.

Culture: Roman, Syrian

Medium: Glass

Dimensions: H. 4 3/16 in. (10.7 cm)

Classification: Glass

Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1959

Accession Number: 59.11.11


Description:

Although the snake-thread decoration seen here is found on Roman glassware throughout the Empire, the shape of this flask belongs firmly in the eastern tradition. It has a constriction at the base of the neck that allowed the contents to be poured out only in drops and so has become known as a sprinkler flask.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/1300...