Beaker
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Beaker
Makerpossibly
Greek
Makerpossibly
Roman
DateHellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
MediumGlass
Dimensionsoverall: 4 in. x 3 in. x 3 in. (10.16 x 7.62 x x 7.62 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous gift
Object number1950.20.29
Status
On viewProvenance1950, given as an anonymous gift to the Davis Museum.
RightsCopyright is retained in accordance with U.S. Copyright laws
Photo creditDavis Museum at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
More InformationThe origins of glass-making date to the 3rd millennium B.C.E. in Mesopotamia, where the material was used primarily for making beads and other small objects. The first glass vessels appear in the archaeological record around 1500 B.C.E. These vessels were made by molding molten glass around a core of sand, mud, or clay to produce its shape. The invention of glass-blowing in the mid-first century B.C.E., followed decades later by the technique of blowing into reusable molds, had revolutionary consequences. Now more cheaply produced, glassware was used in a greater variety of contexts, from cinerary urns to tableware to vessels for cosmetics. The Davis Museum’s collection of ancient glass includes modest works intended for the everyday table, as well as decorated perfume bottles and miniature vessels used as pendants or beads.
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.32
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.19
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.7
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.9
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.35
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.20
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.13
possibly Greekpossibly Roman
Hellenistic period, 6th century B.C.E.-4th century C.E.
Object number: 1950.20.14