Mold-Blown Vessels

Early Imperial Era

“ I should like to show Posidonius some glassblower who, by his breath, molds the glass into many shapes which scarcely could be created by the most skillful hand.” (Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilium XC.31)

Decorative mold-blowing of glass originated in the eastern provinces of Judaea and/or Syria, around A.D. 45, seemingly in response to the burgeoning use of mold-casting in the pottery industry. The quality of craftsmanship among the glassware varied greatly, though, the rhythmic accuracy and crispness of the vessel’s motifs depending heavily upon the degree of care taken with the alignment of mold-sections. Molds could be reused to a certain extent, but it was near impossible to prevent damage to the finer detail of any patterns cut into their inner surfaces.

All glassware is shown at a scale of one-to-one unless otherwise stated.

Mold-blowing process for a grape flask
 

86-35-158
Provenance unknown
1st century A.D.
Dark amber
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux

MS 4980
Possibly from Beth Shean (Israel)
Mid 1st century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 4987
Possibly from Yebna (Israel)
1st century A.D.
Opaque white
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

 

MS 4990
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 1st century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 4963
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Late 1st century A.D.
Purple
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 5006
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 1st century A.D.
Dark blue; opaque white
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
 

MS 5011
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Late 1st century A.D.
Dark blue
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5012
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Late 1st century A.D.
Medium amber
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 5013
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
1st century A.D.
Purple; opaque bluish green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5014
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 1st century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5016
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Late 1st century A.D.
Greenish colorless
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5112
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
1st century A.D.
Dark amber
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 4991
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Early 2nd century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
 

MS 4993
Provenance unknown
Early 2nd century A.D.
Medium amber; turquoise
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 5009
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Early 2nd century A.D.
Opaque white
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5010
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Early 2nd century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5015
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Early 2nd century A.D.
Light green
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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32-15-57
From Beth Shean (Israel), tomb 295
Mid 3rd century A.D.
Clear colorless
Excavated by G.M. Fitzgerald

86-35-82 FGRW
Provenance unknown
Early 3rd century A.D.
Purple
Gift of George & Henry J. Vaux
 

MS 4953
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 3rd century A.D.
Purple
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 4965 FGRW
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 3rd century A.D.
Purple
Purchased from Vestor & Co.

MS 5114
Possibly from Yebna (Israel)
Early 3rd century A.D.
Clear colorless
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
 

Early Byzantine Era

“ And the crystal, as it tasted the heat of the fire, was softened by the strokes of Hephaistos….Then he blew in from his mouth a quick breath, like a man essaying the most delightful art of the flute.” (Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3536)

Mold-blowing was used only intermittently over the centuries, though there was an important revival of the craft in Judaea during the mid 6th century A.D., when reusable sheet metal molds were used to create repetitive designs in panels that could be mixed and matched at will. Initially, these designs were floral and/or geometric; then Judaic symbols such as the menorah appeared; then various representations of the True Cross, almost as if Jewish glassworkers were catering to the needs of Christian pilgrims as a matter of simple practicality.

All glassware is shown at a scale of one-to-one unless otherwise stated.

Hexagonal juglet
with repeated floral motifs
MS 5490
 

MS 5494 FGRW
Possibly from Jalame (Israel)
Late 4th century A.D.
Light green
Gift of Lydia T. Morris

MS 4955
Possibly from Aleppo (Syria)
Mid 6th century A.D.
Greenish yellow
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5018
Possibly from Nazareth (Israel)
Mid 6th century A.D.
Greenish colorless
Purchased from Vestor & Co.
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MS 5490
Possibly from Samarra
Mid 6th century A.D.
Light green
Gift of J. Thompson Morris
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MS 5632 FGRW
Provenance unknown
Late 6th century A.D.
Dark amber
Gift of J. Thompson Morris
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MS 5653
Provenance unknown
Mid 6th century A.D.
Clear colorless
Gift of Lydia T. Morris
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Introduction

Unguentaria 1st-3rd

Unguentaria 4th +

Cosmetics

Oil Flasks

Galena Flasks

Small Cups

Jars

Dishes/Bowls

Jugs/Flasks

Wine Beakers

Bottles

Lamps etc.

Mold Blown/Decorated

Contacts/Credits