Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2015.

Animal "Dromedary" Flask

Manufacturer Unknown

CultureIslamic | Syrian

Dateca. 7th-8th century

MediumBlown and applied glass

Dimensions4 3/8 × 6 × 2 1/4 in. (11.1 × 15.2 × 5.7 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number81.194

Collections

Glass Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 116-1, Case 4

Label TextCOSMETIC TUBE IN SHAPE OF PACK ANIMAL Persia, Sassanian Dynasty Ca. 600 A.D. Blown glass with hot application. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 81.194 (GAnI 81.1) This single tube cosmetic container, with its whimsical pack animal, is the Sassanian version of the late Roman Imperial balsamarium, which was traditionally decorated with hot applications, such as trailed threads. Just as in Roman glass, examples are known with two and even four tubes. These hot-decorated containers remained popular after the islamic conquest.Published ReferencesSotheby _Auction Catalogue_, 12/10/81, Item #244, pg. 128 & 141. Von Saldern, _Ancient Glass in the Museum of FIne Arts, Boston_ #64. Toledo Museum of Art, _Art in Glass_, pg. 36, horse balsamarium. Catalog, _7000 Years of Iranian Art_, #673. Oliver, _Ancient Glass in the Carnegie Museum_. Diane C. Wright (editor), _Glass: Masterworks from the Chrysler Museum of Art_ (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2017), pg. 44-5. Lisa Slade, et.al., _Tom Moore: Abundant Wonder_ (South Australia: Jam Factory with Wakefield Press, 2020) 162.