Early Islamic Miniature Blue-Green Glass Vessel | Circa 8th – 12th Century CE

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Western Asia, likely Iran, Mesopotamia, or neighbouring regions
Material: Pale blue-green blown glass
Period: Early Islamic Period, circa 8th–12th Century CE

Description

This miniature pale blue-green glass vessel is a small but visually distinctive example of Early Islamic glassmaking, dating broadly from the 8th–12th century CE. Its diminutive proportions, carefully shaped body, and flared opening suggest that it may have served as a miniature cosmetic container, perfume or unguent vessel, medicinal receptacle, or possibly a symbolic or votive object.

The vessel is formed with a compact, vertically arranged profile. A narrow flared neck rises above a pronounced globular swelling, while the lower body is divided by raised horizontal mouldings into a sequence of rounded and cylindrical sections. The vessel terminates in a small discoid foot that allows it to stand upright.

The upper neck expands outward toward the mouth, forming a trumpet-like opening with a thin, slightly uneven rim. The rounded central swelling creates the widest point of the vessel and is separated from the lower body by a raised horizontal band. Beneath this, the body narrows into a shorter moulded section before ending in the projecting foot.

The pale blue-green glass displays cloudy translucency, areas of pale yellow and brown mineral staining, and subtle iridescent weathering. These surface characteristics are consistent with the chemical deterioration commonly observed on excavated or long-buried ancient and medieval glass.

Comparable miniature glass vessels are known from the medieval Islamic world, where glassmakers produced a wide range of small bottles, flasks, cosmetic containers, and specialized vessels. Islamic glass production during the medieval period incorporated both inherited Roman and Sasanian techniques and distinct regional forms developed across Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and surrounding territories.

Features

- Likely produced in Western Asia

- Pale blue-green blown glass construction

- Small flared or trumpet-shaped neck

- Rounded globular central body

- Raised horizontal mouldings around the lower section

- Compact tubular lower body

- Small projecting discoid foot

- Possible cosmetic, perfume, unguent, or medicinal container

- Cloudy translucency with ancient surface weathering

- Pale mineral deposits and localized iridescence

- Rare diminutive vessel form

Cultural Significance

Glassmaking was an important and highly developed craft throughout the medieval Islamic world. Workshops operating across Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, and neighbouring regions produced vessels for domestic, commercial, scientific, medicinal, and luxury purposes.

Miniature vessels may have contained costly substances such as perfumes, scented oils, cosmetics, medicines, pigments, or other concentrated materials. Their small capacity was particularly appropriate for substances that were valuable, potent, or used only in limited quantities.

The shaped body and raised horizontal mouldings demonstrate deliberate control of the hot glass during manufacture. Rather than forming a simple undecorated tube, the glassworker created a sequence of rounded, constricted, and flared sections that gave the miniature vessel the visual presence of a much larger container.

Medieval Islamic glassmakers inherited technical traditions from earlier Roman, Byzantine, and Sasanian workshops while developing new regional forms and decorative approaches. Surviving vessels demonstrate considerable variation in colour, shape, scale, and intended function.

Condition

The vessel remains substantially complete and retains a strong, recognizable profile. The glass displays extensive age-related surface weathering, cloudiness, pale mineral deposits, brown and yellow staining, minor abrasions, small pits, and localized iridescence consistent with considerable age.

The mouth remains open, with minor unevenness and small chips visible around the thin rim. The discoid foot displays chipping and irregularity, though the vessel remains capable of standing upright. Additional minor scratches, manufacturing irregularities, and localized surface losses are present throughout.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 1.25 in

Age (Approximate)

825–1,225 years old

Provenance

Formerly part of the private collection of a European gentleman, born in 1942 and deceased in 2024.

The collection was formed beginning in the 1970s and developed over several decades, with a focus on ancient and historical objects.

Learn More

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