This beautiful elongated bag-shaped tube
presents an everted rim folded inward, pushed-
in ring base and pontil mark. Two handles rising
from the upper part of the body attached to the
upper rim. A small tread trail around the neck.
Weathering patches all over the surface and
traces of diagonal rotation, probably achieved
after its removal from the mould. The whole
surface covered by iridescence and heavy
weathering.
Kohl tube is indeed one of the most easily
recognizable ancient glass vessels. It was
designed to hold kohl- an eye make up-, a paste
made of galena (antimony trisulphide Sb), brown
ochre and sometimes malachite, that was applied
with a special small spoon to the eyes.
These special containers have been found mainly
in tombs dating to the Byzantine period. Some
were found with traces of the makeup preserved
inside or, more frequently, with a small stick of
bronze, glass or bone used as applicator.
The earliest type dates to the 3rd century AD and
often features a simple body with a pushed-in
base such as the one here illustrated.
Kohl tubes have been found in abundance in
Palestine, in a larger number than in
neighbouring countries and they may be
considered a local type.
For a comparable example see: Y. Israel, Ancient
Glass in the Israel Museum, 2003: pl.283, p. 228.
