Rome, Imperial Period, late 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. An exquisite, millefiori (also called mosaic, color band, or marbled glass) vial presenting a cylindrical form that tapers slightly at both top and bottom and presents an "eye" pattern of stunning deep navy blue, sky blue, and white hues. A wonderful example, replete with the finest technique and artistry. Size: 3.25" H (8.3 cm); 3.625" H (9.2 cm) on included custom stand.
The mosaic technique oftentimes resulted in glass that the ancient Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder described as possessing "eyes" due to the repeated eyelet motifs across the surface. According to Pliny, "Pieces of broken glass can, when heated to a moderate temperature, be stuck together, but that is all. They can never again be completely melted except into globules separate from each other, as happens in the making of the bits of glass sometimes called "eyes," and which in some cases have a variety of colors arranged in several different patterns." (Pliny, Natural History XXXVI.199 - Loeb translation by D.E.Eichholz (1962), vol. 10, p. 157)
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Martin Wunsch collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s
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#146573
Condition
Minor old nicks to the rim and base. Expected surface wear commensurate with age. Possible hairline pressure fissures. Scattered deposits. Overall excellent.