Eastern Roman or Parthian Green Glass Sprinkler Pitcher

1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.

5 1/4 in. (191 grams, 13.5 cm).

A single-handled mould-blown pitcher, doubling as a sprinkler flask, the inner diaphragm at the junction of the neck and body with a small piercing to restrict the flow of liquid from the vessel; twenty individual ribs which radiate upwards from the pontil mark on the base towards the neck; flared and rolled rim, handle applied separately at the end of the process, formed from folded glass creating a scrollwork effect; one face of the pitcher shows the original rich green glass colour, while the other side has an area of milky oxidation.

Provenance

Originally in an old English collection.
Ex property of a Florida, USA, gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Brouwer, M., Glass from Antiquity, National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, 1992, pp. 64-65, for similar pitchers.

Footnotes

Scholars sometimes call this rare type a 'squash glass', the reason for which is apparent when viewing the piece from beneath. The body of these vessels was produced by means of optical blowing, resulting in internal vertical ribs evenly distributed along the vessel wall.

CONDITION

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LOT 0837