**Originally Listed At $500**

Late Roman / early Byzantine Period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. An unusual mold-blown flask composed of translucent, aubergine-hued glass. The vessel is defined by a slight concave base, a body with a hemispherical bottom half and a conical top half with a carinated separated rib, a corseted neck base and a tubular neck, and an out-folded rim with an upward-projecting, fire-polished rim. Thick areas of encrustations are scattered across the exterior surface, with lovely silvery and rainbow-hued iridescence complementing the amethyst-hued vessel. Size: 3" W x 6.125" H (7.6 cm x 15.6 cm).

Published in "Shining Vessels: Ancient Glass from Greek, Roman and Islamic Times." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York, 1991, p. 61, fig. 103.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see "3000 Jahre Glaskunst von der Antike bis zum Jugendstil." Kunstmuseum Luzern, Lucerne, 1981, p. 98, fig. 362.

For another stylistically-similar example without the out-folded rib, please see "The Constable-Maxwell Collection of Ancient Glass." Sotheby's Parke Bernet, London, 4 June, 1979, p. 125, fig. 219.

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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#135630

Repaired from multiple large pieces with some light adhesive residue and earthen stabilization material along break lines. Minor nicks to rim, body, and base, with some light encrustations across the exterior. Nice earthen deposits as well as great silver and rainbow iridescence throughout.