Glass Jar

The Palestinian glass industry flourished from the 4th to the early 5th century, following the rule of the Roman emperor Diocletian (284--305), when the region enjoyed a time of relative peace in spite of economic instability. When Constantine the Great finally emerged as sole ruler in 324, Palestine benefited from the fact that he targeted Jerusalem and the Holy Land as main recipients for his reconstruction program. Exempted from personal taxation by an Imperial edict in 337, a large number of skilled craftsmen profited greatly from the economic boom.

The small jar here illustrated is made of a dark coloured glass with a widespread iridescent patination due to aging. The rim rounded and thickened in flame, a funnel moth with a relatively narrow open projecting roll, a concave transition to a gently sloping shoulder, globular body and kicked base. On the body irregularly spaced vertical concave bulges. Tow coil handles ,each applied just below the shoulders and attached to the edge of the rim.