Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sasanian (Sassanian/Sasanid) Empire, ca. 3rd to 6th century CE. A beautiful bowl formed from semi-translucent glass of a yellow-green hue that was blown in a mold to create the attractive rows of honeycomb-like dimples coursing across the surfaces. The bowl has a stable base and tall walls that culminate in a thick rim that hangs slightly over the basin, and the surfaces are very smooth. A lovely example! Size: 3.75" W x 3" H (9.5 cm x 7.6 cm)

Faceted bowls such as this one are characterized by uniformity of shape, size, and arrangement of the facets in four or five rows. They represent the most widespread type of late Sasanian glass vessel, found in excavations of Mesopotamian and Iranian sites dating from the fifth to seventh century CE. Some examples, probably carried along the Silk Road to the Far East by Persian merchants and traveling embassies, have been found in Japanese contexts, notably in the sixth-century tomb of the emperor Ankan and in the Shoso-in Treasure at Nara, which was assembled by the emperor Shomu in the eighth century.

For two similar examples, please see "Solid Liquid: Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic Glass." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., 1999, p. 116, figs. 208-209.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection, acquired prior to 2008

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#139756

Minor nicks to rim and base, with light encrustations, and some pitting along base, otherwise intact and very good. Smooth surface throughout.