Glass Bottle from the Ninth Century

The Glass Bottle from the Ninth Century is an archaeological artifact made from a thin, semi-transparent glass paste with a vitreous coating, tending to a light green hue. It was discovered in the historic area of al-Rabatha, located approximately two hundred km east of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, on the edge of the western Hejaz Mountains in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The glass bottle features a long, narrow neck that widens slightly as it rises, ending with a flared rim. It has two added, twisted handles positioned opposite each other on the shoulders, extending to touch the outer edge of the upper rim. The bottle rests on a small circular base, and around the neck, just below the outer edge of the rim, there is a decorative element in the form of a dark-colored glass paste.

Bottle height with handle: 9.2 cm.

Body diameter: 5.7 cm.

This type of bottle was used to store perfumes and their oils. The glass bottle is registered under the number R-14-37.

This glass bottle dates back to the ninth century, during the Abbasid era.

The discovery of the glass bottle is attributed to the efforts of Saudi archaeologists, scientific missions, and joint research teams. It is part of the findings from archaeological surveys and excavations conducted by the Antiquities and Museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the past years. These efforts continue through missions aimed at uncovering the treasures of Saudi Arabia from the successive civilizations that settled its lands.

The glass bottle has been preserved in the Museum of the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in the capital, Riyadh. It is one of the selected artifacts, alongside other pieces and collections of archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia, to participate in the Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition. The exhibition was first held internationally at the Louvre Museum in 2010 and then traveled to several exhibitions worldwide across Europe, Asia, and America.

This glass bottle, crafted using the free-blowing technique, highlights the exceptional skill and artistic mastery of the Muslim artisan. It is distinguished by its symmetrical design and unique color, although signs of color corrosion are evident due to the passage of time. The regions of Iraq and Iran were renowned for producing such glassware, shaped either through free-blowing or mold techniques, during the period between the ninth and twelfth centuries.