Vessel

Pale green glass, full of tiny trapped bubbles, like sparkling water that decided to stay.

This vessel dates to the 7th century and is made of blown glass. Glassblowing, which spread widely from the eastern Mediterranean in antiquity, made small bottles and flasks cheap enough for everyday use. This one has a round, slightly lopsided body that rises to a short, broad neck and a flaring lip. The glass is a soft sea green, thick with fine seed bubbles throughout. Patches of pale tan weathering cloud the surface, and the base sits a little off-center. It is 2 inches wide and 2 high.

Small enough to hold in one hand, old enough to need both.