Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A lovely free-blown glass flask with a fabulous coloration. The semi-translucent vessel boasts a spherical body with eight raised, evenly-spaced ribs, a rounded shoulder, a slightly-constricted neck base, a tubular neck, a flared spout, and a splayed rim. The yellow-green hue of the vessel is accentuated by thick areas of rainbow-hued iridescence in hues of emerald, amethyst, and sapphire, transforming the color to an opulent golden hue. The constricted neck line suggests that this may have originally been intended to be a sprinkler flask, though its current construction would not facilitate the restricted application of any precious oils or perfumes. A lovely example indeed! Size: 3.375" W x 4.875" H (8.6 cm x 12.4 cm).

This piece exemplifies the beauty of ancient glass, its sublime form and artistic aesthetic of the caliber that impressed Seneca who marveled in his "Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium" (65 CE) that a glassblower could "by his breath alone, fashion glass into numerous shapes which could scarcely be accomplished by the most skillful hand."

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

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#133185

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small nicks and light roughness to rim, body, and base, with some discoloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Great rainbow iridescence and earthen deposits throughout.