Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A stunning free-blown glass vessel presenting an oblong body with a slightly concave base showing a nice pontil scar, a short cylindrical neck that gently flares to a collared rim - all in magnificent translucent aubergine and colorless glass. A very special example boasting coveted deep aubergine hues and remarkable translucency that conjure an almost, liquid-like appearance - as well as an attractive form. Size: 4.125" H (10.5 cm); 4.625" H (11.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The following is a wonderful quote speaking of the mesmerizing process of creating hand blown glass during ancient times, "The workman having quarried it, brought the glass and put in the fire the mass hard as iron, and the glass, set afire by the all-devouring flames, ran out melted like wax. And to men it was a marvel to see a trail flowing from the fire, and the workman trembling lest it should fall and break; and on the points of the double forceps he put the lump." (Anth. Pal. XVI.323 - Loeb translation by W.R. Paton (1979), vol. 5, p. 353 from "Solid Liquid" catalogue, Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, 1999, p. 19.)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135473

Minor surface wear and interior deposits. Otherwise excellent.