Ancient Greece, Classical period, ca. 5th century BCE. A stunning example of a core-formed glass amphoriskos once used to hold scented oils. The near-miniature vase boasts an exceptionally elegant form presenting an ovoid body that is finely contoured with vertical ribs, a cylindrical neck, lug handles, and an everted discoid rim, all upon a splayed foot. The decoration of this piece is simply gorgeous, with the cobalt blue body wound with tangerine orange thread-like trails applied in a close-knit zigzag or feathered pattern. The golden trails continue above the feathered pattern - spiraling around the neck - as well as beneath the feathering. An opulent example of glasswork to be treasured for its beautiful form, mesmerizing patterns, fabulous hues, and sophisticated technique. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 3.125" H (7.9 cm); 3.625" H (9.2 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the Corning Museum of Glass, core forming is "the technique of forming a vessel by winding or gathering molten glass around a core supported by a rod. After forming, the object is removed from the rod and annealed. After annealing, the core is removed by scraping" (https://www.cmog.org/glass-dictionary/core-forming). This process of glass making was begun in the late 16th century BCE by glassmakers of Mesopotamia, and then adopted by Egyptian glassmakers in the 15th century BCE. The technique almost came to an end in the so-called Dark Ages of Mediterranean civilization (1200 to 900 BCE); however, by the 9th century BCE a new generation of glassmakers took up the technique once again, and between the 6th and 4th century BCE core-forming spread throughout the Mediterranean.

A similar example, though with handles bridging neck to shoulder instead of lug handles, hammered for $6,250 at Christie's, New York Antiquities Auction (sale 2856, June 5, 2014, lot 40): https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/an-eastern-mediterranean-core-formed-glass-amphoriskos-circa-5800551-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5800551&sid=3189dc20-b233-485f-878b-67d6274070e8

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135314

Repaired from multiple pieces with some visible adhesive along break lines. One handle missing from shoulder. The other handle shows a bit of loss. Surface wear commensurate with age as expected, minute nicks to base, body, handles, and neck, with fading to some pigmentation. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas.