Roman Fragmentary Glass Vessel Group

A clay lamp with rounded lug handle, shoulder with foliage in relief on each side, separated from the slightly concave discus by a ridge, which continues toward the round-tipped nozzle forming a wide channel between the discus and the wick hole; two equal-sized filling-holes at upper and lower part of the discus decorated with a lion running left, raised slightly convex base-ring with an additional inner ring. 163 grams, 13.5 cm



Acquired from a central London Antiquities Dealers Association (ADA) member's gallery in 1990. From the estate of a Lancashire gentleman.

The present lamps seems to be molded in Terra Sigillata Africana (TSA) = African Red Slip (ARS) and can be related to Atlante types VI. The passage from lamps of Loeschcke type VIII in TSA with a heart-shaped nozzle ( = Atlante form I) to the channelled so-called Christian lamps ( = Atlante forms VIII and X, or Hayes types I and II) was progressively achieved by three factors: the transformation of the initially circular discus into an oval shape, the elongation of the nozzle, and the increased width and length of the channel.

A piriform bronze balsamarium with a broad rounded shoulder, slender waisted neck and squat, spool-type mouth. 207 grams, 12 cm high



From the collection of the late Dr D.G., Surrey, UK.

Such vessels, with their high-bellied body, are similar to examples from Palestine, Pompeii, Phocis, Brigetio and Salona. They are not fitted with handles, meaning that they were not part of a portable set.

A discoid gold pendant jewel displaying a polished garnet insert at the centre of a pellet roundel, eight pearl beads mounted on spokes radiating from the circumference; squashed suspension loop to reverse. 2.04 grams, 17 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.