Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0659
Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/8 in. (27.5 grams, 13.7 cm).
Wide domed body with domed underside to the foot, tall narrow neck and splayed rim with rolled edge.
Provenance
From an important London collection of glass, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Literature
Cf. Filarska, B., Szkla Starozytne (Ancient Glass) II vol., Warszawa, 1972, II, cat.261, pl.XLVI,5, for similar vessel.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Glass Cameo Tondo with Baby Dionysos, Raised by Nymphs on Mount Nysa, in Gold Pendant Setting
Late 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
Blue glass disc with white glass past overlay imitating onyx, showing the nurturing of baby Dionysos, raised by nymphs on Mount Nysa: the infant god standing on the lap of a nymph, another standing right, Silenus standing left and leaning in on the scene, a tree in the background; set into a later gold setting with applied wire scrolls and tendrils on the sides with an applied filigree band below, wide loop above fronted by an applied decorative plaque set with a garnet cabochon. 21.36 grams, 48 mm
Private collection of a London gentleman, acquired between 1965-2020. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Ittai Gradel. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12680-235465. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Dr Ittai Gradel writes: 'Cameos with Dionysiac motifs were especially popular in the mid- to later first century BC, and the prolific workshop of the gem carver Sostratos specialized in such motifs (see I. Gradel, ‘A tale of two fragments: a Sostratos cameo reconstructed’, The Burlington Magazine 162 (March 2020), 181-87). The original, lost stone cameo, from which this glass version was cast, belongs in this period and ambience. The glass cast was presumably contemporary with the original cameo, possibly slightly later, but the glass is in any case clearly ancient (corrosion, iridescence).' -
Roman Bronze Ring with Insect Intaglio
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Comprising a D-section hoop with expanding shoulders, gilt bezel set with an oval glass gem with engraved insect. 7.45 grams, 23.82 mm overall, 15.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E 1/2, USA 2 1/2, Europe 3, Japan 3)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Mixed Glass Bead Group
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £111
Including oblate, fusiform, tabular, mosaic and other types. 15 grams total, 2-13 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery of unique qualities. The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, being a public display of the wealth of high social classes. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate, incorporating elements from different cultural styles.