Miniature Two-handled Jar (amphoriskos)
- Artist Culture
- Greek, Eastern Mediterranean
- Period
- Hellenistic, 323–31 BC
- Date
- mid-2nd century BC–early 1st century AD
- Material
- Glass
- Associated with
- Levant, Asia
- Possibly associated with
- Cyprus, Asia
- Classification
- Containers, glassware
- 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 (R. Kahn Monif), New York, NY, USA
1921 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Persian Antique Gallery [1]
Notes:
[1] Invoice from Persian Antique Gallery to the City Art Museum, dated August 5, 1921. 77:1921 is item No. 2065 in the invoice, and it was part of the "Collection of Roman, Phoenician, Egyptian, and Arabic Glass" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, July 8, 1921.
Persian Antique Gallery (R. Kahn Monif), New York, NY, USA
1921 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Persian Antique Gallery [1]
Notes:
[1] Invoice from Persian Antique Gallery to the City Art Museum, dated August 5, 1921. 77:1921 is item No. 2065 in the invoice, and it was part of the "Collection of Roman, Phoenician, Egyptian, and Arabic Glass" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, July 8, 1921.