A Byzantine Dark Amber Glass Jar, Jerusalem, circa A.D. 579-629

with flaring mouth and rounded rim, the hexagonal body mold blown with various symbols comprising two empty aediculae with clearly delineated columns and capitals, three stylized date-trees, a concentric lozenge pattern, and a menorah with tripodal base flanked by ritual objects, a border of dots around the perimeter of each panel.

For related examples cf. Toledo, Early Ancient Glass, nos. 171, 173, and 175. See also Dan Barag, "Glass Pilgrim Vessels from Jerusalem - Part I," Journal of Glass Studies, vol. XII, 1970, fig. 17. The present jar corresponds to the last author's Class B III (see description p. 49, and line drawing p. 53). The author notes (on p. 62) that "the menorah usually accompanied by other ritual objects stands for the Temple Menorah, holy rituals (the incense shovel) and the Jewish festivals (shofar and lulav)... If the lozenges indeed represent book bindings they may be interpreted as the Old Testament or other Jewish sacred works. [The date-tree] was borrowed by Judaism (and Christianity) from Pagan art. This ancient symbol embodies life, hope, victory, and immortality; in Jewish art it has the same significance."