Fragment of a Byzantine glass phial

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This fragment of a Byzantine glass phial was found at St Andrews in Fife. It was made in the eastern Mediterranean and may have reached Scotland as an aristocratic gift. It may then have been presented to the church as a valuable gift from a local leader.

The fragment is the base and lower body of a small, cylindrical glass phial. It is of clear glass with purple swirl design.

This item may originally have been used to contain holy oil. It would have been valued as an exotic, prestigious item and its associations with Byzantium - if realised - would have given it additional religious importance.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-240-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.761
• Date: 700 - 900 AD
  Between 700 and 900
  
• Material: Glass
  Phial / sherd
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Phial / sherd
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Middle East, Byzantium
  Scotland, Fife, St Andrews
  
• Event:
• Description: Sherd of Byzantine glass phial, from St Andrews, Fife, 700 - 900 AD
  
• References:
• Translations:
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