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LOT 0718
Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
6 7/8 in. (58 grams, 17.5 cm).
Comprising a low conical body and slightly convex wall, dimple base; tall cylindrical neck flaring to mouth with inward-folded rim; slightly iridescent surface.
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Cf. Whitehouse, D., Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass, vol.1, New York, 1997, item 261.
FootnotesThis kind of toilet bottle was called ‘candlestick unguentarium’ by the academics due to the shape of its neck. They are especially found in Roman Egypt (Karanis class XIII.A.I.).
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Roman Bronze Ring with Carnelian Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
With thick shank, broad plaque, inset carnelian gemstone of truncated conical profile, a marriage. 14.98 grams, 31.48 mm overall, 20.16 x 14.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
Late Roman Hinged Lidded Pyxis
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Sheet-bronze two-part pyxis with carinated sidewall to the base, lid with reserved octofoil on a pounced field, concentric pointillé rings; working hinge mechanism. 64 grams, 86 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Although pyxides were originally made of wood, as their name suggests, the term soon came to refer, in the Graeco-Roman world, to round containers used for both medicinal and domestic purposes. From the time of the Achaeans to the end of the Roman Empire, we find pyxides made of horn, ivory, bronze, silver, and gold. Women used them to store their ointments, makeup, and toiletries. A pyxis used for medical purposes was called a loculus, while the name pyxidicula designated a container for eye drops, and a tripuxium was a pyxis containing extracts from three different containers. -
Roman Gnostic Magic Stone Amulet Fragment
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Comprising a half of a bifacial seal, one side showing a standing figure above a lion, Greek inscription before the figure; the other side with Abraxas and Greek inscription on the edge. 5.04 grams, 34 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
