Roman Empire, Sidonian, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A miniature and very fine mold-blown glass vessel of deep purple hues, presenting an attractive form comprised of an ovoid body, a tubular neck rising to a gently flared and infolded rim, and twin trailed handles or blue-green hues joining neck to shoulder. The surface is mesmerizing - intricately detailed with a large central register of floral motifs flanked by linear borders followed by registers of curvilinear motifs above and below; finally an elegant spiral adorns the base. Imbuing it with even more beauty, the surface is covered in fiery iridescence of pink, lavender, silver, and ice blue hues. Sidon was a center of art glass production in ancient times, and this piece exemplifies the fine creations of this region. Size: 3.25" H (8.3 cm); 3.75" H (9.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Here are Pliny's words as he described his voyage to Sidon, "From this point on we must go back to the coast and to Phoenicia. There was formerly a town called Crocodilian, and there still is a river of that name … Then comes Cape Carmel … Next are Getta, Geba, and the river Pacida or Belus … Close to this river is Ptolemais … Next Tyre, once an island separated from the mainland by a very deep sea-channel 700 yards wide, but now joined to it by the works constructed by Alexander when besieging the place … but the entire renown of Tyre now consists in a shell-fish and a purple dye! … Next are Zarephath and the city of birds (Ornithon oppidum), and Sidon, the mother-city of Thebes in Boeotia where glass is made." (Pliny, Natural History V.75-76, 77-79 A.D.)
Provenance: ex-Stephen Shalom collection, New York, USA, 1970s
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#147845
Condition
Repaired from about 3 or 4 pieces, but very well done. Form is well preserved with wonderful details. Amazing iridescence.