Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous ensemble of translucent, blue-green glass vessels: 1 double unguentarium, 1 unguent tube, and 3 jars. First, the double unguentarium is composed of two cylindrical chambers that are fused along the interior seam with a flat, stable base, slender bodies, flared rims, twin trail-formed handles, and decorative lines of rigaree that spiral up the exterior. Next, the unguent tube presents a rounded base and a long slender body that expands at the midsection to a side hip then narrows to an elongated neck and flared rim. Third, the smallest jar showcases a flat base, a truncated body, a lengthy neck, and a wide-flaring and folded rim. Alternatively, the mid-size jar displays a concave base, a bulbous body, a tapered neck, and a wide, folded rim. Last and largest, the third jar exhibits a sizeable, globular body, a curved shoulder, a gently conical neck, and a flared and rolled rim, all sitting upon a slightly concave base. Size of largest: 4" Diameter x 4.8" H (10.2 cm x 12.2 cm)
Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, acquired before 2013 from various auction houses in London and New York; largest vessel is ex-Bonhams, London, Knightsbridge Antiquities Auction (May 8, 2013, part of lot 183); ex-private United Kingdom collection, acquired between 1955 and 1976 in Lebanon and the Near East
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#139109
Condition
Double unguentarium has restoration to side with small area of loss. Unguent tube is repaired from several pieces on neck and rim with break lines visible and minor area of loss. Smallest jar has losses to one side of rim, as well as repair to base with break lines visible and some small loss. Mid-size jar has losses to rim. Largest jar has fissures to rim, neck, and side of body with small area of loss. All have expected abrasions and weathering film. Otherwise, all are very nice with nice iridescence. Double unguentarium has pontil mark on base. A pontil scar or mark indicates that a vessel was free-blown, while the absence of such a mark suggests that the work was either mold-blown or that the mark was intentionally smoothed away or wore away over time.