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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Bowl
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Bowl

Artist/Maker (Artist Unknown)
Date1st to 2nd century
Mediumglass
DimensionsOverall: 2 3/8 x 4 3/8 in. (6 x 11.1 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineMuseum purchase through funds from Myrna and Sheldon Palley in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Lowe Art Museum
Terms
    Object number2002.11.2
    DescriptionMedicines and their ingredients were stored and transported in small, hand blown glass medicinal bottles. This “apothecary” glass has been in use for nearly 2,000 years. The earliest examples were the Roman unguentaria, or teardrop bottles, made by the thousand from the end of the first century until about 500. For a skilled glass worker, they were simple to make. A tiny gather of glass was blown into a bulb and the neck pulled with tools to elongate it. The vial would then be sheared from the blow pipe, leaving a simple, flared top. In later centuries, the shapes of these medicinal bottles became more complex. Glass was also used to hold perfume. Every morning, a well-to-do Roman lady would have herself bathed and made-up by her maids before visiting or being visited by her friends. The favorite scents were toilet waters prepared with French lavender, saffron, and crushed rose petals. In the evening, heavier perfumes based on cinnamon and myrrh might be worn.
    On View
    On view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    2nd to 4th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    3rd to 4th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    2nd to 4th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    4th to 5th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 600-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Duncan McClellan
    2002
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Steven Tobin
    c. 1990
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lobi people
    20th century