Roman Miniature Glass Vial

Comprising two cuboid dice, each with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 6.23 grams total, 12 mm each



Ex Essex gentleman, previously in a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman's collection.

Featuring a broad, low, round-bellied body with a wide, hollowed base, a short neck with a funnel-shaped mouth; incised festoon-like decoration on the body. 132 grams, 92 mm high



From the collection of Sir Daniel Donehue; his collection was sold in the 2000s. Roman glass from an important London collection, acquired from the early 1980s. Accompanied by a typed previous catalogue information page with provenance. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13440-263208.

This jar belongs to a generic vessel form known from many eastern Mediterranean and European sites and dated to the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. Characteristic are the annular pontil marks, patterned on the squat globular body.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown and white detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 9.64 grams total, 3.4-16 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, by analogy with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting - red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.