Roman Glass Flask

Domed body with ring-and-dot and linear decoration; set in a glazed wooden frame. 117 graams total, 93 x 93 mm including frame



Acquired from Ancient Art Shop, Berkshire, UK. From the collection of a Nottingham, UK, collector, established from the early 2000s. Accompanied by the original Ancient Art Shop certificate of authenticity.

Bulbous body and rounded underside, long neck, trumpet-shaped mouth with applied rim, applied strap handle with ribbing. 40 grams, 96 mm



Acquired in the 1992. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Roman glass from the 2nd to 4th century A.D. gives a fascinating insight into everyday life in the Roman Empire. By this time, glassmaking had become highly skilled, and glass vessels were being produced on a much larger scale than before. Thanks to the development of glassblowing, makers were able to create practical as well as attractive objects such as bottles, flasks, jars, and drinking vessels. Much of the glass from this period has a soft blue-green tint, caused by natural elements in the raw materials. Although some pieces were finely decorated, many were made for ordinary daily use, showing how glass had become far more common and accessible across Roman society.

Comprising two parallel hoops connected with angled filigree struts with a granule to each node, annulets to the shoulders, irregular circular cells each set with a cabochon garnet; hoop cracked at underside. 1.38 grams, 17.03 mm overall, 14.85 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)



Acquired in the 1992. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.