Description:

Roman empire, ca. 1st century CE. The classic amphora-shaped (hence the name amphoriskos or little amphora). Blown using natural, pale greenish glass, this bottle has the shape of an amphora, with the body tapering down to a pulled out point. The rounded shoulders join a cylindrical neck with a collar rim. Two triple-ribbed trails of deep aubergine glass are applied to the shoulders and pulled up to the neck just below the rim. Another trail of the deep aubergine is wound around the top edge of the rim for decorative effect. Size: 7.5" H (19 cm)

Glass production goes back to ancient Egypt and was used as far back as the 3rd millennium BCE. The Greek and Romans expanded and perfected the technique, but glass in its early days was still reserved for the wealthiest only. A vessel of this size, color and complexity could only be owned by the wealthiest of the wealthy.

Cf. a larger example in the Corning Museum of Glass, inv. 62.1.29.

Provenance: ex-private collection of Martin J. Wunsch, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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#156112

  • Condition: Remarkably intact, with surface encrustation as shown. Slight iridescence.

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June 4, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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