Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0147

Roman Amber Glass Pilgrim's Flask

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

6 in. (107 grams, 15.2 cm high).

With tubular neck and everted rim.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession numbers 17.194.93 and 81.10.51, for similar.

Footnotes

'At the moment the cross is brought for veneration .... they offer oil to be blessed in little flasks. When the mouth of one of the flasks touches the Wood of the Cross, the oil instantly bubbles over, and unless it is closed very quickly it all spills out.' (The Piacenza Pilgrim, v. 173, circa 570 AD).

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0147

Roman Amber Glass Pilgrim's Flask

Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Bronze Amphora
    Roman Bronze Amphora
    1st-2nd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £208

    With carinated profile to the shoulder and tapering neck, two riveted strap handles. 169 grams, 13 cm



    Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Bronze Seated Greyhound Statuette
    Roman Bronze Seated Greyhound Statuette
    1st-2nd century A.D.

    Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £222

    Modelled seated with head held skywards, howling; semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing. 39 grams, 56 mm



    ‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Terracotta Foot Lamp
    Roman Terracotta Foot Lamp
    2nd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380

    Mould-made and shaped as a sandaled left foot, filling-hole surrounded by a ridge in the ankle area, the sandal with two leather straps tied together near the ankle, wick-hole in the big toe; inscription 'ƩΑΛΣΙϹ' to the base, heel chipped. 112 grams, 12.2 cm



    With Gorny & Mosch, Auction 194, 14 December 2010, lot 505. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11799-206830.

    This lamp belongs to a type of plastic lamp made in Anatolia and widespread throughout the Eastern Empire. The sandaled foot was part of the classification of plastic lamps dedicated to the representation of the human body. These lamps were the luxuries of the poor, being brought to temples as votive offerings, however some took their place in the domestic lararia, or were kept by children as playthings.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list