Roman Iridescent Glass Pitcher with Trail

3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.

4 1/4 in. (76 grams, 10.7 cm).

Bulbous body with an applied zig-zag trail and a circumferential band above, and an applied collar at the base of the tubular neck and another beneath the flaring mouth, with a strap handle to the rear.

Provenance

Acquired in the 1990s from London dealerships and auction houses.
From the Lonson collection.

Literature

Cf. Whitehouse, D., Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass, vol.2, New York, 2001, items 640, p.133, and 726, p.183, for similar type of pitchers; Lightfoot, C.S., Ancient Glass in National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh, 2007, p.130, no.318, for identical specimen.

Footnotes

In Ancient Rome, there were two different types of pitchers: the urcei used for water or the oinochoae, used for wine. They were employed to serve liquids at banquets, pour water for handwashing (probably the purpose of this urceus), and to store everyday goods.

CONDITION

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LOT 0141