Ancient Near East, Holy Land, early Byzantine Empire, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. A delicate and near-colorless glass beaker that may have been for dining or part of an oil lamp. As a lamp, this glass cup was inserted into a metal lamp holder or chandelier, sometimes known as a polycandelion, Greek for "many lights." We know that colorless glass was very popular, particularly from the third quarter of the 1st century onward, it required a careful selection of raw materials, because even a tiny bit of iron compound could add color. Size: 3" Diameter x 3.125" H (7.6 cm x 7.9 cm)

Provenance: private Lemont, Illinois, USA collection, acquired in the 1980's

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#176492

Chips to rim otherwise intact. Light mineral and earthen deposits on surface.