Janus flask, Egypt, 301-400CE

Made:
301-400 CE in Egypt
James flask, Coptic Christian, Egyptian, 301-400 AD

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James flask, Coptic Christian, Egyptian, 301-400 AD
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Janus flask, Coptic Christian, Egyptian, 301-400 AD

The bottle is known as a ‘Janus flask’ from the double-faced head embossed on the body. The Christian Chi-Rho symbol is an amalgamation of the first letters of the name Christ in Greek. It is embossed on the base. The flask is made of blown glass. This technique was discovered in Syria in about 50CE. The glass was blown within a mould while still semi-molten. This allowed flasks such as this one to be mass produced. It held perfumes or scented oils.

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A105284
Materials:
glass and incomplete
Measurements:
overall: 85 mm x 50 mm x 45 mm, .03 kg
type:
janus flask
credit:
Tano, N.