Traded Glass Goods: Sasanian Glass Facet-cut Bowl and Islamic Glass Flask

The cultures living along the Silk Road established connections and formed relationships through trade, and these two items show the movement of goods and therefore people around Central Asia.

The glass facet-cut bowl is Sasanian in origin, and was among the precious goods that were exported from Persia to China in exchange for tea and ceramic. These kind of vessels were expensive rarities that must have been treasured as exotic luxuries. The facets produced a kind of honeycomb effect, which created light and shadow. Faceting was popular in Persia and Mesopotamia under the Sasanian empire (224-651), and was inherited from an even earlier culture: the Romans.

The Islamic flask would also have come to China from Persia. At this time, glass was not common in China, and was used mainly by Buddhist communities. This flask closely resembles those used in Buddhist iconography showing the drink of immortality held by the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The Silk Road is important for the transportation of ideas as well as material goods.

Top:

SRE Cat. no. 57, 9th - 10th century, Probably Iran, Glass, The Trustees of the British Museum, 1968.0722.1 (Brooke Sewell Bequest)

Bottom:

SRE Cat. no. 56, 6th - 7th century, Iraq or Northern Syria, Glass, The Trustees of the British Museum WAA 1911.04-04.13