Roman Azure Blue Glass Unguentarium

With heater-shaped pierced shoulders, stepped octagonal bezel, inset cloison with intaglio of two banqueteers on couches. 7.63 grams, 24.84 mm overall, 19.10 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

With globular body, everted rim, cylindrical neck, rounded shoulder merging with concave wall, rounded base. 61 grams, 14 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1980-1990s.

This toilet bottle could be associated with the Isings form 6 and De Tommaso type 7. These small bottles are among the earliest known blown glass. The everted rim seems to distinguish examples made in Italy and the western Mediterranean provinces from those of the Eastern Mediterranean, on which the rim is usually folded in the form of a flange.

Ellipsoid in plan with chamfered rim to obverse with womb with key and roots; above womb the figures of Isis, Anubis, Chnoubis, and Nephthys (from left to right); reverse with facing Medusa mask with wings to the brow below a coiled snake, spiders and other items. 2.84 grams, 24 mm



From the collection of magical objects of the late Mr A. Cotton, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12354-225280.

During the Graeco-Roman period, the traditional genres of Egyptian or Near Eastern temple magic gems, particularly protective magic against demons, snakes and scorpions, seemed largely to have disappeared, and new genres became dominant, for different types of divination (direct visions of god, bowl divination, dream sending, Homer oracles), malign magic, aggressive (mainly erotic) magic, magic for personal success and attractiveness. This type of amulet was intended to aid childbirth and avoid illness and dangers for its attendant.