Ancient Greece, Classical to Hellenistic Period, ca. 5th to 3rd century BCE. A beautiful core-formed glass amphoriskos exhibiting an elegant, tapered profile and a plethora of vibrant hues including marigold, azure, and periwinkle. The inverted piriform body bears a series of gently impressed vertical ribs around the shoulder, rests upon a petite discoid foot, and has a pair of applied trail handles arching between the corseted neck and flared rim. The polychrome glass comprising the body is marvered into delicate swirls as well as ribbed feather patterns and applied trails of yellow glass swirl up the neck until terminating in a ring of yellow glass applied around the rim. Size: 1.81" W x 3.5" H (4.6 cm x 8.9 cm); 4.05" H (10.3 cm) on included custom stand.
A vessel like this would have been made for the elites of ancient society. Its owner would have used a stopper to keep the contents inside, and a glass rod to dip into the vessel's perfumed oils and dab on the throat or wrists. The little handles made it possible to suspend the vessel, and we know from Athenian vase paintings that vessels like these could be worn off a belt at the waist or suspended from the wrist.
The Greeks created core-formed or sandcore vessels by trailing threads of molten glass over a "core" of sand or clay to form the vessel. These threads were oftentimes feathered or dragged to create intriguing decorative patterns. The term amphoriskos literally means "little amphora" and is indeed a miniature amphora. This shape was quite popular as it was ideal to store precious oils, perfumes, or cosmetics.
Provenance: private East Coast collection, New York, USA; ex-East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#112461
Condition
Professionally repaired from multiple pieces, with nearly imperceptible adhesive residue along break lines. Minor nicks to rim, handles, and body, with chipping to yellow glass trails around neck, heavy pitting across most surfaces, and light encrustations. Great preservation to overall form and glass colors.