Roman Glass Unguentarium

With hinged pin; finely-executed pointille detailing to the bow, vinescroll motif and rouletting. 19.84 grams, 56 mm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK.

With a deep bowl and flat-section handle with integral loop; shallow concentric grooves around the exterior of the neck, rolled rim, concentric rings to the underside; finished on a lathe; cracked and split. 903 grams, 33 cm wide



Acquired in Europe before 1993. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11788-206494.

In contrast to their elaborate counterparts, paterae such as this were likely carried as part of the standard kit of Roman soldiers, used as a general cooking and eating utensil. The regular heap up (sarcina) of the legionaries is well represented on the reliefs of Trajan's column. It was composed of a T stake (furca), to which a linen bag (sacculus) was hung, as well as the leather haversack for 15-20 days supplies (trinum nundinum) and personal effects, a pot (ollula), a cup (patera), and a basket for work on the fields.

Ellipsoid bezel with incuse image of Minerva standing helmetted holding spear and shield; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.71 grams, 22.95 mm overall, 19.56 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.