Oil bottle c. 9th century

This oil bottle was made by an anonymous artist, and is now held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Without knowing the date or place of its creation, much about its original social context is hidden from us. However, even the very existence of such an everyday object in a museum like this one speaks to the social and institutional forces that shape what we consider art. The lack of a known artist or clear origin might lead us to think about the hierarchies of art history. What kinds of objects and whose stories get preserved and valued? What makes this bottle worthy of display, while countless others are lost to time? Historical research, archaeological finds, and comparative analysis with similar objects could shed light on its purpose and cultural significance. Until then, it stands as a reminder of the selective nature of historical narratives within institutions.