Glass Cosmetics Flask from The Levant

This cosmetic flask is typical of the Levant and could have come from any of the regions modern countries, such as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan or Syria. They were often placed in graves and typically contained a metal rod for the extraction and application of the contents as eye-liner which was often black in colour.

This vivid green flask has survived intact though it would originally have had a very elaborate trailed handle and other trails around the body which appear to have broken away. Produced in one of the world's most important glass making regions it may have come to England as a Pilgrims souvenir from the Holy Land. It is not known how it came to be in the Bexley Collection.