Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An attractive hanging vessel exhibiting a leaded bronze, teardrop-form body with a corseted neck and a flared and folded rim. A tubular brass handle arches high above the vessel, held in place by a pair of suspension loops that flank the rim and attach to a brass chain of infinity links capped with a circular brass ring for hanging the vessel. Each terminal of the lovely handle extends upwards, displaying a decorative finial. Size: 2.7" Diameter x 6.3" H (6.9 cm x 16 cm); 7.1" H (18 cm) on included custom stand.

Balsamaria were, as the name suggests, used for holding balsam, the resinous, sap-like product of many different plants, as well as the oil used by athletes to clean their skin. Balsamaria most often depict women's or satyr's heads, but some are more abstract, like this example. Cosmetics were as important to the ancient Romans as they are to us today, used by men and women, and with specialized equipment made for holding them. Often balsamaria were so important that they were buried with their owners and some, like one of a woman's head at the British Museum (1868,0601.3) were made exclusively to be placed into tombs with offerings rather than used by the living.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#144198

Expected abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.