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Qatar Museums, Museum of Islamic Art. Photo: Marc Pelletreau Terms and Conditions

Glass Molar Flask

Museum of Islamic Art

Currently on view at Museum of Islamic Art
Title:
Glass Molar Flask
Production place:
Egypt
Date:
800 - 999
Period:
Abbasid
Material:
Glass
Technique:
Blowing, Wheel cutting
Dimensions:
7.5 × 2.3 cm

One of the first techniques that were used to shape glass was casting. Molten glass was poured into a mould, producing a solid block or a thick-walled vessel when cooled, and was then drilled and deeply carved. This small moulded flask is of transparent blueish-green colour. Its body has a narrow shoulder, a cylindrical neck and a flat top. At the midpoint of each side of its body, triangle motifs with diamond-shaped knobs can be identified. It has four pointed feet one at each corner that resembles the roots of a molar tooth, which is why these objects are called molar flasks. They were most commonly produced as small flasks for valuable cosmetic liquids such as oils or perfume.

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