Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 100 to 300 CE. An exquisite, millefiori (mosaic) glass vessel stunning coloration - red vermilion, golden yellow, pearly white, and deep teal blue hues with an aesthetic that boasts beautiful spiraled eyes and washes of color. Quite dreamy, especially when one holds it to the light! What's more, due to its delicate size, this vessel, presenting a lipped rim and a flat base, readily fits into the palm of a human hand. A wonderful example, replete with the finest technique and artistry. Size: 2.2" W x 1.625" H (5.6 cm x 4.1 cm)

The mosaic technique oftentimes resulted in glass that the ancient Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder described as possessing "eyes" due to the repeated eyelet motifs across the surface (Pliny, Natural History XXXVI.199 - Loeb translation by D.E.Eichholz (1962), vol. 10, p. 157). This example, however, presents more expanded canes/eyes and gorgeous washes of color that conjure paintings by Austrian symbolist artist Gustav Klimt who of course worked centuries later. Perhaps Klimt was inspired in part by ancient Roman mllefiori glass.

Provenance: ex-New York, New York collection, ex Royal Athena Gallery, NYC, January 1997, Lot 73, Catalog page 33

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.

#156450

Repair to roughly 40% of walls from multiple large and small pieces, with restoration in some areas of loss, and resurfacing with overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions to base, walls, and rim, with light encrustations. Glass coloration is still highly visible.