Miniature Two-handled Jar (amphoriskos)
- Culture
- Eastern Mediterranean
- Culture
- Ancient Greek, c.900–31 BCE
- Date
- mid-2nd century BCE–early 1st century CE
- Material
- Glass
- associated with
- Asia
- Classification
- Containers, glassware
- Collection
- Ancient Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 259
- Dimensions
- 5 3/16 x 1 13/16 in. (13.2 x 4.6 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 77:1921
NOTES
Despite the beauty of this container, it was the contents inside that were truly valuable. Luxurious oils and sweet-smelling unguents were coveted and used by both men and women. The ancient Greeks even used olive oil as a soap by spreading it on their skin and scraping it off with a metal tool called a strigil.
Note the similarities in shape between this perfume bottle and amphoras used for storing wine. The miniature two-handled jars in this case are called amphoriskoi or “little amphoras.”
Note the similarities in shape between this perfume bottle and amphoras used for storing wine. The miniature two-handled jars in this case are called amphoriskoi or “little amphoras.”
Provenance
- 1921
Persian Antique Gallery [Reiza Khan Monif (1850 or 1851–1923)], New York, NY [1]
1921 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Persian Antique Gallery [2]
Notes:
[1] Invoice from Persian Antique Gallery to the City Art Museum, dated August 5, 1921. 77:1921 is item No. 2065 on the invoice, and it was part of the "Collection of Roman, Phoenician, Egyptian, and Arabic Iridescent Glass" [SLAM document files].
[2] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, July 8, 1921.
Persian Antique Gallery [Reiza Khan Monif (1850 or 1851–1923)], New York, NY [1]
1921 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Persian Antique Gallery [2]
Notes:
[1] Invoice from Persian Antique Gallery to the City Art Museum, dated August 5, 1921. 77:1921 is item No. 2065 on the invoice, and it was part of the "Collection of Roman, Phoenician, Egyptian, and Arabic Iridescent Glass" [SLAM document files].
[2] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, July 8, 1921.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.