Roman Aubergine Glass Amphora

$2,993.33

A Roman two-handled bottle made from aubergine coloured glass. Featuring a large pyriform body that joins to a long, cylindrical neck with an everted rim. Two rod handles in pale green glass have been applied from the neck, trailing down the sides of the body to the base. Areas of iridescence and patches of brownish weathering to the neck.

Date: Circa 4th - 5th century AD
Provenance: Private Israel collection, SM. Israeli export license for the glass collection.
Condition: Very fine. Repair to the neck.

In stock

Roman trade stabilised during the 4th century AD, with the reign of Constantine the Great. With Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire, glass workshops in more regional areas of the Empire flourished. The trailed decoration seen here was a feature of glass commonly used in the 4th century. During the Roman Empire glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user carefully to pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.

To find out more about Roman glass please see our relevant blog post: Collecting Roman Glass.

Weight 107 g
Dimensions W 8 x H 16.5 cm
Culture

Glass

Region

Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, item 17.194.296

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