Vase c. 2th century

Curator: Looking at this piece, I’m struck by its ethereal quality. The degradation on its surface gives it an aged beauty. Editor: Absolutely, it has that mysterious shimmer that only ancient glass possesses. This is a "Vase" from the Ancient Levantine period, around the 2nd century. You can currently find it on display here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Curator: Ancient glass always brings to mind alchemical experiments. Was glassmaking shrouded in mystery at that time, imbued with spiritual significance? The vase has vertical ribs, almost like stylized plant stems. Editor: The ribbed design certainly draws from architectural motifs. Vessels of this kind reflect the elites, referencing the grand columns of palaces and temples, echoing status and divine connection through household objects. The Levantine region was a hub for trade and cultural exchange; we can see Mesopotamian and Egyptian influences melding together here. Curator: You can imagine how its transparency would be intriguing and magical, to create something solid, yet light passes through, carrying metaphysical weight as it suggests both fragility and resilience. The slightly visible imperfections, caused by age, invite you to trace history and time's relentless touch on objects meant for everyday use. Editor: Yes, it speaks to how societies use beauty to create value around commonplace rituals. This Levantine piece represents how the elite consumed beauty through these refined translucent glass forms. These would have been expensive to produce, accessible to the wealthier classes as trade objects, and, by extension, became statements of wealth and power. Curator: A beautiful and illuminating consideration of how objects like this can be, at once, containers for the practical, artistic endeavors, as well as the beliefs and status symbols of the culture they come from. Editor: Indeed, something seemingly simple tells a very complex story when you spend time considering its function within a culture’s socio-political environment.