Lot 30B
**Originally Listed At $800**
Roman, Sidonian, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A fine Janus-headed vessel of a petite size, mold-formed from opaque white glass. The vessel depicts two male heads - perhaps Bacchus (Greek Dionysus) - the god of wine, winemaking, fertility, theatre, and religious ecstasy - with tufts of wavy hair and resting upon an integral flat base with a cylindrical neck and flared rim. Vessels of this type were an invention of the 2nd century CE and continued to be made in the 3rd and 4th centuries. A lovely unguentarium or perfume bottle of a rare janiform presentation. Size: 1.785" W x 3" H (4.5 cm x 7.6 cm)
Sidon was a center of art glass production in ancient times. Here are Pliny's words as he described his voyage to Sidon: "From this point on we must go back to the coast and to Phoenicia. There was formerly a town called Crocodilian, and there still is a river of that name...Then comes Cape Carmel...Next are Getta, Geba, and the river Pacida or Belus...Close to this river is Ptolemais...Next Tyre, once an island separated from the mainland by a very deep sea-channel 700 yards wide, but now joined to it by the works constructed by Alexander when besieging the place...but the entire renown of Tyre now consists in a shell-fish and a purple dye!...Next are Zarephath and the city of birds (Ornithon oppidum), and Sidon, the mother-city of Thebes in Boeotia where glass is made." (Pliny, Natural History V.75-76, 77-79 AD).
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#143949
- Condition: Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Covered with grey and black deposits.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |