AN ISLAMIC GREEN GLASS DOUBLE BALSAMARIUM IN THE FORM OF A CAMEL

CIRCA 7TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

AN ISLAMIC GREEN GLASS DOUBLE BALSAMARIUM IN THE FORM OF A CAMEL
CIRCA 7TH-9TH CENTURY A.D.
The double cylindrical compartmented body decorated with an applied spiral trail, emerging from the back of a camel, with pointed muzzle, alert ears and drooping tail
3 ¾ in. (9.4 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired prior to 2000.

Sale room notice

Please note, the provenance of this lot should read 'Acquired prior to 1995'.

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Francesca Hickin

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Lot Essay

Tubular containers for cosmetics mounted on zoomorphic figures were made in the East in the late Roman-early Islamic/early Byzantine period. The idea of mounting small containers onto quadrupeds may have derived from the production of glass toys and figurines. Cf. a double balsamarium supported by two horses formerly in the Ray Winfield Smith collection and now in the Corning Museum of Glass, acc. no. 55.1.109, Goldstein, 2005, no. 19, and Carboni, 2001, p. 25, no. 4b.

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