Eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Levant, or Greek islands)

Core-Formed Glass Amphriskos with Feathered Garland Patterns, Classical to Hellenistic Period

2090

Classical to Hellenistic Period, c. 6th–4th century BCE

A core-formed glass amphriskos (miniature amphora) of the Classical to Hellenistic period (c. 6th–4th century BCE), manufactured in the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel has a globular body, a narrow cylindrical neck, a flared rim, and two opposed loop handles from shoulder to neck. The body is dark blue opaque glass; across the maximum circumference, opaque trails of turquoise-blue, bright yellow, and white glass were wound horizontally and then combed with a sharp metal tool to produce a continuous feathered garland pattern of interlocking chevron peaks and troughs. The applied glass trails form tangible low-relief ridges rather than flat painted lines; under directional light, these raised polychrome ridges cast microscopic shadows in the combed troughs, producing a subtle chiaroscuro that emphasizes the vitreous luster and textural topography of the glass surface.