Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 253912
Roman Marbled Blue Glass Toilet Bottle
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 in. (19.7 grams, 83 mm).
An iridescent unguentarium with piriform body, tubular neck with everted rolled rim.
Provenance
Acquired on the European art market in 2001.
Literature
Cf. Whitehouse, D., Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass, vol.1, New York, 1997, item 213, for type.
Footnotes
This typology were produced mainly in Egypt (Karanis class XIII.B). They were characteristic of Eastern Mediterranean as well, and characterised by the irregular curved depression on the underside of the base and by the narrow cylindrical neck with slight constriction at the bottom.
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.
LOT 253912
Roman Marbled Blue Glass Toilet Bottle
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£500 (EUR 580; USD 675) ‡+BP*
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Terracotta Bottle
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Piriform body with tubular neck and everted rim. 150 grams, 14.8 cm
From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960. -
Roman Bronze Eagle Plate Brooch
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Modelled as an eagle standing on a thunderbolt, spread wings and the head turned to the left, with a pin and catchplate on the reverse. 10.14 grams, 35 mm
From the private coin collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the mid 1980s. -
Large Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Hermes
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Ellipsoid type with incuse design of Hermes standing nude with one knee resting on a pile of rocks, orb in one hand and wreath in his hair; repaired; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.2 grams, 25 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
Hermes/Mercury was a major god in the Graeco-Roman pantheon. He was the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication (including divination), travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves. Due to his many talents and auspices, he was one of the primary divine characters represented on intaglios and cameos, especially in the Roman period. As messenger of the gods, Hermes was obliged to keep their secrets safe, and therefore was the perfect choice for a seal-gemstone.
