Roman, Eastern Empire, late Imperial to early Byzantine Empire, ca. late 4th to 5th century CE. A gorgeous example of a double unguentarium that is free-blown from translucent glass of attractive blue-green hues. The vessel exhibits a pair of cylindrical chambers that are fused in the center above a mutual base with a rough pontil scar, necks that taper towards the thick rims, and 2 rigaree handles that arch from rim to shoulder. Surrounding the vessel is a single trail of applied glass that is gently feathered downwards when nearing the concave midsection. The entire vessel is covered with flaky layers of silvery and rainbow-hued iridescence that gracefully complement the sumptuous turquoise hues of the composition. Size: 1.32" W x 4.05" H (3.4 cm x 10.3 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Cf. "Shining Vessels: Ancient Glass from Greek, Roman and Islamic Times." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York, 1991, p. 93, fig. 173.
Provenance: ex-private Virginia, USA collection, before 2000
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#170163
Condition
One stable pressure fissure along bottom of midsection, with micro-bubbling within glass matrix, light weathering film, and minor encrustations within chambers, otherwise intact and excellent. Pontil mark on underside of 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. Wonderful iridescence throughout.