Small Glass Vase - LO.940, Origin: Syria, Circa: 600 AD to 700 AD, Dimensions: 2.1" (5.3cm) high x 1.8" (4.6cm) wide, Collection: Near Eastern Art, Style: Proto-Islamic, Medium: free-blown glass.Although the development from the pre-Islamic period to the middle of the ninth century is very recognizable in architecture, including works in stone, plaster and wood, it becomes quite blurred on other media such as metalwork and pottery. Between the 5th and the 8th century glass production seems unchanged, although the surviving objects would still point to an industry that persisted and thrived, almost careless of the political and religious turmoils of the Ummayad era, including the death of the prophet Muhammad. Perhaps, the diffusion of glass- blowing and the consequent paucity of high quality glass after the crumbling of the Roman Empire might have hampered the rulers' sponsorship of glassmaking, yet during this period glass became more accessible for mundane use and thus, by loosing its status value, less attractive to affluent patrons. Late Roman glass made along the coasts of modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt that is usually classified as 'eastern Mediterranean” thus kept on being produced during the early Islamic period. Its features include the decoration with applied trails that could be pulled either from the same glass batch or from a different one. Applied trails were also used functionally as handles and feet; commonly the thread was patterned in zigzags or simple spirals. When trails of the same colour were used, they were manipulated with a pointed tool or a fine pincher after they were applied to the vessel. While weathering due to burial often prevents a full appreciation of the chromatic as well as the sculptural appeal of a glass vessel many have survived in excellent conditions and still convey a playful charm.

Antiquities
Ancient Near East