Art Institute of Chicago

Jar

Late Roman or early Byzantine; coast of Syria or Palestine

Date

3rd-4th century

Medium

Glass, blown technique

Culture

Levant

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Byzantine glassmakers refined the techniques they inherited from their Roman predecessors, creating objects with increasingly elaborate forms and complex decorative elements to flaunt their skills. Cosmetic containers were often adorned with fine strands (trails) of glass that required a steady hand and rapid execution, while other vessels look quite complex yet were easily made. Glass continued to be used in objects of personal adornment such as jewelry, both as a material in its own right and to imitate precious stones, offering more affordable options for what was in fashion.

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