Flask c. 1 - 500

This ancient glass flask was made by an anonymous artist, and it embodies the silent narratives of those who lived long before us. As we gaze at it, we might consider the hands that shaped it, the lives it served, and the stories it could tell. Imagine the social context of the time, where daily life was intimately connected with handcrafted objects like this flask. Gender roles likely influenced who created and used it; was it a woman safeguarding precious oils, or a merchant trading exotic perfumes? Class distinctions, too, would have determined its accessibility. The very anonymity of the artist sparks a sense of collective memory. This flask is not just an object; it is a vessel of untold histories, reflecting societal values, gendered roles, and the human desire for beauty and function, all intertwined in its delicate form.