Roman Pale Blue Glass Unguentarium

The goddess standing in contrapposto pose with her weight on her left leg, her right leg bent and pulled back; wearing an Ionic chiton and himation secured by a characteristic knot tied between her breasts, the folds cascading to the floor; the toes of her left foot emerging from below the flaring hem of her robe; her centre-parted wavy locks locks fastened with a band, pulled back in a chignon at the nape of her neck and surmounted by a tall modius; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.22 kg total, 20.5 cm high (28 cm high including stand)



Acquired in Israel, 1990s. Ex Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem. with Christie's, New York, 13 December 2013, no.139 (US$ 50,000-$80,000). Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. 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 search certificate number no. 12017-213617.

These statuettes were used in the service of domestic cults and reflect native Greek or Roman cult practices. The Roman household shrine, or lararium, received its name from the lares, the guardian spirits of the house and household, who were frequently displayed in the shrine, either in painted or sculpted form. This was prevalent in all the corners of the empire, also in the East and in Greece. Studies of bronze statuettes found in Roman provinces have shown how regional variations of lararia figures reflect the mixed religious beliefs of the inhabitants.

Comprising four mould made lamps, one with ring handle with two shallow grooves on upper part, central filling-hole, small air hole in the lower part; one with volute lug handle, flat shoulder with a rounded outer ridge, flat-bottomed discus, central filling-hole, V-shaped channel between discus and nozzle, air hole above club; the other two with ring handles and grooves on upper and lower parts, shoulder with shallow pronounced relief, filling hole with air hole in front of the nozzle. 140 grams total, 67-82 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The lamps have connections with models of 1st-3rd centuries A.D., in particular with Bayley type A group i, Bussiere form D VII and D X 5.

With winged petasos traveller's headgear and low-relief facial detailing. 13.3 grams, 20 mm



Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.