Late Roman Cobalt Blue Rod-Formed Glass Cosmetic Tube

CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

5 1/4 in. (160 grams total, 13.1 cm including stand).

Tubular body with a smoothly-rounded interior, the exterior formed of heavily-twisted rods, two handles and standing on a slightly rounded integral base, rim absent; accompanied by a custom-made display stand.

Provenance

Ex London gallery, 1980s.
Private London, UK, collection, 1980-2000s.
Roman glass from an important London collection, acquired from the early 1980s.

Accompanied by a typed previous catalogue information page with provenance.

Literature

Cf. Antonaras, A., Ancient Glass in the J.Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2025, p.318, no.376, for the type of kohl tube.

Footnotes

These kohl tubes are provisionally dated between the 4th and the 5th centuries, and they are ascribed to the Syrian region. The majority of the kohl tubes bear spiralling ribs formed by twisting the vessel while it was still hot and malleable.

CONDITION

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LOT 0176