Large Gallo-Roman Mould-Blown Green Glass Flask

1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

8 in. (303 grams, 20.6 cm).

Square in plan with rounded shoulder and trumpet-shaped mouth; folded strap handle.

Provenance

Collection F. Martens Netherlands, 1980s-1990s.
Anonymous sale, Cahn International Auction, Basel, Switzerland, 2010.
Private collection, Europe.

Published

Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 4th March 2026-7th June 2026; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.

Literature

Cf. identical bottle in Istenič, J., Roman Stories from the crossroads, Ljubljana, 2015, p.65 fig.65.

Footnotes

Glass blowing was first used in the early 1st century B.C. and became widespread in the 1st century A.D. It simplified and increased the production of glass vessels, reducing their cost and transforming them into a general commodity. In the 1st century A.D., colourful glass vessels were still popular, while glass with a natural, light green colour, such as this, gained popularity in the subsequent centuries.

CONDITION

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LOT 0196