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LOT 0141
Roman Marbled Gold in Glass Bottle
EARLY 1ST CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (85 grams, 89 mm).
Cylindrical polychrome body tapering towards the angled shoulder, tubular neck and flat rim; circumferential lathe-cut lines to the body, base and rim.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12613-234626.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Harden, D.B., Glass of the Caesars, Milan, 1987, no.17, for similar.
FootnotesSmall bottles, lidded pyxides (boxes) of this type and luxury gold-band glass were made during the Julio-Claudian period. The production and widespread use of tableware in marbled glass in the Western empire took place between the end of the age of Augustus and the beginning of the age of Tiberius (circa 10-16 A.D.), reaching its peak in the period of Nero (54-68 A.D.).
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 Honey and Green Double-Handled Glass Pilgrim's Flask
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Amphoriskos with flat disc-shaped body, tubular neck with flared rim, two lateral knee-shaped handles to the shoulder. 105 grams, 13.9 cm
From 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. -
Large Roman Bronze Military Mount
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Composed of a central domed boss and openwork volutes to the sides; for a sword belt or a chariot, one corner separated. 69 grams, 14 cm wide
Good condition, very rare
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In the 3rd century A.D. the sword (spatha) was mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric usually on the soldier’s left side. This sword’s shoulder belt, visible on many monuments related to the 3rd century, was composed from a leather strap, reinforced on the rims. The four specimens of Vimose provided valuable information about the shape of the baldric: one end was broad and finished in a straight edge, the other tapered to a narrow strip. They were decorated with silver disks (phalerae) of circa 6.4 cm of diameter, with rings on the reverse for fastening. These phalerae were of different shapes, styles and decorations: we can observe a range from simple copper-alloy discs to bronze openwork pieces fitted with a plate or an openwork disc showing elaborate figures. They were usually attached at about 29-30 cm from the wider and squared top of the baldric. One of the finial parts of the baldric was in fact very wide and ended with a straight edge, upon which could be placed a hinged rectangular openwork terminal plate (like our specimen), attached to a belt terminal pendant. The lack of holes for the attachment rivets in our specimen could also support the thesis that the piece is not for a baldric, but a mount for cart or chariot as some examples in a similar style found in Roman North Africa. -
Roman Black Glass Bead Necklace String
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £85
Restrung group of cylindrical, melon-shaped and other beads. 11.1 grams, 47 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
