Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A squat, free-blown, semi-translucent glass olla with a pale yellow, almost colorless appearance. The vessel is defined by a concave base and a rough pontil scar, a globular body, a rounded shoulder with a grooved neckline, a flared and rolled rim, and a petite applied trail handle with a discoid thumb rest. Six areas of applied glass trails surround the body in a netting-style design, imbuing the exterior with a delicate appearance and a pleasing texture. The near-colorless vessel is finely complemented by fiery areas of silvery and rainbow-hued iridescence in hues of sapphire, emerald, citrine, amethyst, ruby, and topaz. Ancient glass vessels which exhibit fine trailing details are exceptionally rare, making this a stunning example of fine Roman glass-blowing artistry! Size: 3.625" W x 3.9" H (9.2 cm x 9.9 cm).
Pliny the Elder paid homage to the beauty of the many hues created in hand-blown glass, including white, as well as colorless translucent glass, "There is, furthermore, opaque white glass and others that reproduce the appearance of fluor-spar, blue sapphires or lapis lazuli, and, indeed, glass exists in any color . . . However, the most highly valued glass is colorless and transparent, as closely as possible resembling rock-crystal." (Pliny, Natural History XXXVI.198 from "Solid Liquid" catalogue, Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, 1999, p. 64.)
A taller and stylistically-similar example hammered for $3,000 at Christies, New York Antiquities Auction (sale 2755, December 13, 2013, lot 60): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/a-roman-glass-flask-circa-3rd-century-5747521-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5747521&sid=6be732a1-a592-4d24-980c-f6abced6d5cb
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#135066
Condition
Surface wear and light abrasions commensurate with age as expected, fading and wear to coloration, light roughness along rim, handle, body, and base, and some dark deposits along base, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits and nice silvery and rainbow iridescence throughout.