Description:

Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A lovely Roman double unguentarium, sometimes called a balsamarium, made from beautiful blue-green glass. The form is comprised of two conjoined tubular vessels and a high arched handle made from a single trail joining the pair. In addition to this graceful form, the surface is imbued with mesmerizing lavendar and silvery iridescence. Size: 2.1" W x 6.125" H (5.3 cm x 15.6 cm); 6.625" H (16.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Wealthy women in ancient Roman times would use these pieces to contain their precious unguents or oils. Alternatively, such vessels served as double kohl vessels containing two different colors of eye makeup. What's more, vessels like this have also been found in tombs where they likely contained scented oils or precious cosmetics for the deceased to carry into the next world.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-old French collection, prior to 2000

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#152098

  • Condition: Light encrustations, weathering film, and calcifications across interior and exterior surfaces, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and great iridescence throughout.

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May 21, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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