Roman Black Gemstone with Laurel Wreath

Bulbous body, cylindrical tall neck and everted rim. 23 grams, 89 mm



From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.

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. 191 grams, 13.5 cm



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

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.

Crescentic body with one arm formed as a phallus and the other as a fist, making the 'fica' gesture, male genitalia at the centre with a large loop above. 39 grams, 73 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.