Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, Eastern Empire / Holy Land, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous unguentarium formed from translucent blue-green glass to display a hemispherical body, a long, tapering neck, a flared spout, and a folded rim. A light iridescence dances across the smooth surface of the vessel, creating rainbow hues that beautifully complement its elegant form. Glass blowing was invented in the Roman Empire around the end of the first century CE and revolutionized Roman household life. Suddenly glass was easy to produce, and Roman households rapidly replaced pottery with delicate, translucent glass. A vessel such as this one may have been used to hold olive oil, which the Romans used for everything -- cooking, lighting lamps, and personal hygiene. It has survived the intervening centuries nearly intact and is a beautiful reminder of the Roman past. Size: 3.1" Diameter x 6.5" H (7.9 cm x 16.5 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#183892

  • Condition: Light surface wear as shown but otherwise, intact and excellent with weathering film to interior and light iridescence throughout. Old collection label on underside of base.

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February 16, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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