A FREE-BLOWN COLOURED GLASS DOUBLE BALSAMARIUM IN THE FORM OF A CAMEL
Syria, 7th - 8th century

Of zoomorphic form, designed as a quadruped bearing burdens, most probably a camel, with a double cylindrical flask resting on the animal's back, decorated with applied coils, the camel featuring a flattened, protruding muzzle, and a long, upward-turned tail, a truncated ring handle applied at the top of the first flask, 8.2cm high.

Two similar 'cage' animal flasks, also called animal or horse balsamaria, were successfully sold at Christie's London, 8 October 2010, lot 194; and Ancient Glass from the Shlomo Moussaieff Collection, 6 July 2016, lot 304. For further reference, please see S. Carboni and D. Whitehouse, Glass of the Sultans, 2001, pp. 112 - 113.