VESSEL

A fragment of blown glass bottle likely of late Medieval to early Post-Medieval in date.

Description: The vessel has a folded rim, edge bent out up and in creating a bulging effect. The neck has two bulges and some constrictions along its length. There is a break at the bottom which may have continued or began on the body. The breaks are marginally worn. The handles are trailed up the neck and bent down and out and terminate in breaks The glass is a pale translucent green.

Measurements: 63.84mm high, 59.52mm wide, 38.41mm thick and 62.3g in weight.

Discussion: This objects was originally identified as a Roman bath flask, however this ID was tenuous and Dr Rachel Tyson has provided a narrower and more likely ID. The object likely relates to a very rare group of globular bottles with variously constricted necks, long thin trailed handles and flat bodies. These bottles (like this example) were originally identified as Roman until Dr. Tyson re-assessed them and identified a number from late Medieval and Post-Medieval contexts from London such as Plantation Place (Blackmore et al. 2013) and Exeter (Allan 1984). They remain fairly uncommon and the exact dates remain uncertain although Dr. Tyson suggests 16th century is probable. Their origin is also uncertain although it has been suggested they are from the East Mediterranean or souther/eastern Iberia with at least one example from Plantation Place having Islamic script painted onto it.