SPRAY BOTTLE Blue-green glass, iridescence H. total 19.5 cm; H. glass 15 cm; H. stopper 7 cm Eastern Mediterranean, 5th-7th century Provenance European private collection, acquired on the English art market in 1990-2000 An exceptional sprinkler flask in translucent emerald green blown glass, an emblematic shape in Byzantine glassware. The piece comprises a ribbed globular body decorated with moulded vertical ribs creating a regular fluted effect, a long cylindrical neck that flares slightly at the mouth with a folded lip, and its remarkable conical stopper in solid glass that fits perfectly, a rare feature that gives the whole an exceptional completeness. The glass, a deep green characteristic of Syro-Palestinian production, has developed a magnificent patina of golden and silver iridescence, particularly concentrated on the neck and shoulder, the result of age-old alteration and creating a striking contrast between the iridescent areas and the emerald translucence of the body. The ochre mineral concretions dotting the surface bear witness to the object's prolonged burial. This type of bottle, known as a 'sprinkler', is distinguished by its narrow, elongated neck, which enabled precious liquids - perfumed waters, aromatic essences, sacred oils or rosewater - to be dispersed delicately, one drop at a time. The conical stopper ensured a watertight seal and prevented expensive substances from evaporating. These flasks were used in luxurious domestic settings (to refresh guests, perfume textiles) as well as in Christian religious rituals (sprinkling holy water, anointing) and funeral ceremonies. Production of these sprinkler flasks reached its peak in the 5th-7th centuries in the Byzantine workshops of Syria-Palestine (Jerusalem, Hebron, Beirut) and Egypt, before continuing under the first Islamic caliphates, which perpetuated the tradition. The ribbed decoration on the body, inherited from Roman techniques, combined with the emerald green of Byzantium and the slender orientalist shape, illustrates the cultural synthesis characteristic of this pivotal period between Late Antiquity and the early Islamic period. An Eastern Mediterranean Glass Sprinkler Flask. 5th-7th century A.D. Exceptional sprinkler flask in blown glass of translucent emerald green hue, an emblematic form of Byzantine glassware. The piece comprises a ribbed globular body adorned with molded vertical ribs creating a regular fluted effect, a long cylindrical neck slightly flared at the mouth with folded rim, and its remarkable conical stopper in solid glass perfectly fitted, a rare element conferring exceptional completeness to the ensemble. The glass, in a deep green characteristic of Syro-Palestinian productions, has developed a magnificent golden and silvery iridescent patina particularly concentrated on the neck and shoulder, resulting from centuries-long alteration and creating a striking contrast between the iridescent zones and the preserved emerald translucency of the body. Ochre mineral concretions dotting the surface testify to the object's prolonged burial. This flask typology, called "aspersoir" or "sprinkler", is distinguished by its narrow elongated neck allowing fine dispersion of precious liquids-perfumed waters, aromatic essences, sacred oils, or rose water-by delicate aspersion, one drop at a time. The conical stopper ensured sealing and prevented evaporation of costly substances. These flasks were used both in luxurious domestic contexts (refreshing guests, perfuming textiles) and in Christian religious rituals (sprinkling holy water, anointing) or funerary ceremonies. Production of these sprinkler flasks reached its peak during the 5th-7th centuries in Byzantine workshops of Syria-Palestine (Jerusalem, Hebron, Beirut) and Egypt, before continuing under the early Islamic caliphates which perpetuated the tradition. The ribbed decoration of the body, inherited from Roman techniques, combined with Byzantine emerald green and orientalizing elongated form, illustrates the cultural synthesis characteristic of this pivotal period between Late Antiquity and early Islamic times.