The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 4687
A Splendid Core-formed
Oinochoe in Blue and Yellow. Eastern Mediterranean, possibly from Rhodes,
c. late 6th or 5th century BC. Height: 3-1/2". Formed from glass of a deep
cerulean blue, the vessel features added colors of turquouise and deep, rich,
almost orangey yellow. The body is ovoid-shaped, with a short, rounded foot,
and a flared mouth that has been pinched into a trefoil. Separately added at
the side, is a thick blue glass loop handle. Along the bottle's shoulder are
bands of yellow and turquoise that have been partially marvered into sharp
zigzags.Turquoise also edges the mouth, and yellow edges on the foot. This
oinochoe is intact and perfect! Some trivial surface etching from age, but most
of the luster is more than evident. Museum quality! Cf. G.F.M. fig 23b; Newark,
fig. 29; Toledo, Ancient Glass, nos. 114-116.
Estimated Value
$2,500-UP.
Lot 4688
Necklace of Glass Eye
Beads. Phoenician, c. 5th to 3rd century BC. Bead Lengths: 1/4" - 7/8". A
strand of graduated eye beads in glass, with a few perhaps in faience. The
beads are ovoid to nearly spherical, with "eyes" of dotted concentric circles
applied to a color base, or matrix. Most beads feature an average of eight eyes
on a base of green; one bead is blue on yellow. The strand also has a blue
glass "vase" bead on original iron hanger, plus a marvered cylinder bead which
is medieval Islamic, or perhaps Egyptian. Beads range from well preserved to
well weathered.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 4689
Core-formed Alabastron
with Marvered Patterning. Eastern Mediterranean, or possibly western
Iran, c. 4th to mid-3rd Century BC. Height: 4". This alabstron is formed
from dark blue glass, wand features a flanged lip, short thick neck, and
sloping and carinated shoulders all atop a long cylindrical body, which is
slightly barreled. The body is decorated with rows of marvered yellow and blue
bands, which creates a delicate feather-like pattern. Remnants of two small lug
handles remain at the sides. The mouth and rim appear restored. Some of the
inlaid glass has disolved with time, leaving a pleasantly tactile remebrance of
its presence. An affordable example of this rare early glass. Cf. G.A.E. Vol.
1, pl. 4d; Toledo, Ancient Glass, 123ff.
Estimated Value $400-650.
Lot 4690
Colorful Core-formed
Alabstron in Colbalt Glass. Eastern Mediterranean, probably Phoenician,
c. 3rd to early 1st Century BC. Height: 3-3/4". This alabastron is a narrow
form, with broad flat top and a rolled lip. The a rather long cylindrical neck
has double looped handles attached at the sides and the cylindrical body is
slightly barreled. Contrasting with the dark blue hue of the body, encircling
bands of white and red glass have been lightly marvered. Aside from chipping to
one handle, and slight remnants of a whitish crust, the glass is
extraordinarily well preserved. With professional restoration to a singe
handle, one could have a key piece that would be the highlight of any advanced
collection. Cf. Toledo, Ancient Glass, no. 162.
Estimated Value
$1,500-UP.
Lot 4691
Miniature Plaque with Ram.
Ptolemaic Egypt, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Size: 1" x 1-3/8". Depicting a ram
walking towards the right, this mold-pressed plaque is made of irregularly
mixed white and blue glass. The edges show some chipping and trimming.
Otherwise the piece mostly complete. Interesting.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 4692
Well Crafted Core-formed
Amphoriskos. Levant or Italy, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Height: 4-1/4". Nicely
porportioned, this deep blue glass vessel features a flat everted lip, long
cylindrical neck, and inverted rounded conical body set upon a high small foot.
Opaque yellow horizontal stripes edge the lip and wind about neck and body. The
piece is marverd at the shoulder, along with slight heat tooling to create
subtle ribbing along the shoulder's edge. Bottle is intact and perfect with
weathered, lightly iridescent surfaces. A very fine example, and noteworthy for
being complete. Cf. Toledo, Ancient Glass, no. 158, but of stouter form.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
Lot 4693
Important Core-formed
Miniature Oinochoe. Levant or Italy, 3rd to 2nd century BC. Height: 3-7/8".
Made from deep blue glass, this vessel features a rounded trefoil lip and
inverted, conical body set upon a high foot. A separate blue glass L-shape
handle appears on the side. Opaque yellow horizontal stripes edgethe lip and
wind about the neck and body. The piece is marverd at the shoulder, along with
heat tooling which creates an ornamental ribbing. The upper part of the handle
has been restored with a Roman handle, otherwise the bottle is complete. Bottle
was likely semi-submerged in moist soil for centuries, as the glass surface
along the back of the piece appears quite pristine, yet the front half shows a
milky-silvery iridescence. Apparently a rare form. Cf. Corning, p. 163; Toledo
--; Opplander -- .
Estimated Value $800-UP.
Lot 4694
Core-formed Amphoriskos.
Eastern Mediterranean, 2nd to 1st century BC. Fashioned in a similar manner
to the preceding lots, this piece is comprised of black glass with marverd
bands of white. Repairs and restoration appear at the neck, shoulders (where
handles would have been), and base. The bottle is mostly covered with fine,
opaque, softly metallic silvery violets, greens, and blues. Cf. Toledo,
Ancient Glass, nos. 168ff.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Ex
Ainley Collection; Malter XXXVIII, lot 4.
Lot 4695
Early Roman Bowl, in Deep
Amber Colored Cast Glass. Roman, perhaps Italy, late 1st century BC. to
early 1st century AD. Diameter: 5-1/2". This simple, thick-walled bowl is
nearly hemispherical in shape. As usual with this class of bowls, the vessel
was made by casting rather than blowing, and the exterior has been smoothed by
means of "fire polish," while the interior was finished by means of lapidary
techniques. In the interior, two concentric circles have been deeply engraved.
Typical for ancient glass of some thickness, this bowl wdoes have a number of
stable age cracks. However, repairs and some restoration are noted along a
length of the rim. Small speckles of bright iridescence can be seen within the
surface recesses of the bowl. An affordable example of this scarce and costly
series. Cf. Newark, fig. 33; Han Cohn Collection fig. 31; Toledo, Ancient
Glass, nos. 243-246.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 4696
Cast Blue Ribbed Bowl.
Roman Syria or Lebanon, late 1st century BC. to mid-1st century AD.
Diameter: 5-7/8". This bowl features thirty molded ribs that flare out
below a plain, broad rim and depend to the concave bottom. Made by casting
rather than blowing, the exterior was finished with "fire polish," while the
interior was finished by means of lapidary techniques. Additional engraved
concentric circles appear in the interior, over the concave base. Layered over
the blue glass are zones of spectacular gold, silver, copper, green and red
iridescence. The bowl has a repaired break and some restoration, which is
covered with equally bright iridescent patina. A flashy example of its class.
Toledo, Ancient Glass, nos. 231-233; G.A.E. Vol. 1, fig. 128z.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 4697
Another Ribbed, Cast Bowl,
in Aqua. Roman Syrian, early 1st century AD. Diameter: 6-3/4". Another
bowl, similar to the preceding lot. The aqua glass piece, made by casting,
rather than blowing, features an exterior with "fire polish" while the interior
is finished by means of lapidary techniques. Additional engraving can be seen
in the interior: a sunk border beneath rim, and two concentric circles over the
concave base. With an age crack that has been stabilized, the thick bowl seems
quite sound. Some slight, cleanable dirt, with pleasing transparent iredescence
with fine greens reds and magentas. Cf. G.A.E. Vol. 1, pl. 40; A.G. fig. 79;
Hans Cohn Collection, fig. 41; Toledo, Ancient Glass, nos. 229.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
Lot 4698
Early Roman Bowl in Light
Green Glass. Roman, 1st century AD. Diameter: 6-1/4". This simple bowl is
fairly shallow but finely proportioned. Made by casting rather than blowing,
the exterior shows "fire polish" while the interior hs been finished by means
of lapidary techniques. Additional engraving seen in the interior include a
sunk border beneath rim and two concentric circles over the concave base.
Intact and finely preserved, this piece features patches of thick creme-rose
iridescence along with transparent but more vivid green, violet, and rose hues
around the rest of the interior.
Estimated Value $500-800.
Lot 4699
A Rare Pyxis, in Amber
Brown Glass. Roman, perhaps Italy, 1st Century AD. Overall height: 3-3/4".
Complete set with bottle and cap. The blown ovoid body is folded into a barrel
shape with a ring foot base and ridge shoulder. The separate stopper is
essentially a small vial, folded at its center to create a flat, coin-like rim
about the middle. The stopper has fine silver-green and violet iridescence. The
body shows areas of white patina that also displays equally vivid colors. Some
cracks about the body, but the piece apppears otherwise intact and sound.
Fascinating and rare! Cf. G.A.W. fig. 64; Newark, figs. 145, 146; Sammlung
Oppenlander no. 298.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Lot 4700
Fine "Thread" Bottle.
Roman, perhaps Italy, 1st century AD. Height: 3-1/2". Carefully fashioned
in blown violet glass, this bottle features a tiny flared mouth, narrow
cylinder neck, and globular body with a concave base. From mouth to base the
whole bottle isencircled with delicate spiral of white glass. Intact and
perfect. An especially choice and colorful example of this charming ware of the
Early Empire. Cf. A.G. plate VIII, fig. C (Syria 100 to 200 AD); Hans Cohn
Collection fig. 82.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 4701
Sidonian Date Flask, with
Vivid Iridescence. Roman Phoenicia, 1st to 2nd century AD. Length: 3". Mold
blown from deep amber-colored glass, the body of this flask resembles the shape
of a large, wrinkled date. The neck is short, and slightly flared, while the
rim is thick and inwardly folded. Modest repairs appear on the neck and mouth,
with slight loss to the base. Most of bottle features a splendid thick,
creme-gold iridescence which reflects pastel greens, violets and mauves.
Elsewhere, richly colored deep greens, magentas, and blue-violets can be seen.
Aside from the small chipping to the base, this is a choice example of this
rare and popular type. Cf. Newark, fig. 70. Also, Toledo, Roman Mold-blown
Glass, nos. 84-107. The author notes that Phoenicia during the 1st century
AD. was well regarded for both its glass products as well as its date palms.
Perhaps Phoenician artisans were moved to combine their two noteworthies in
these little vessels shaped like dates.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 4702
Head Flask in Blue Glass.
Roman Phoenicia or Syria, 1st to 2nd century AD. Height: 2-1/2". Mold blown
from a deep blue glass, this small vessel features a slight outturned li and,
thin cylindrical neck, with its body comprised of two faces (back to back), all
set upon a short platform foot. The details of the faces aresoftly molded, but
appear to be female. Intact. With remnants of a faintly iridescent calcerous
patina. Possibly of Sidonian origin, where the tradition of caput flasks
originated, the bottle remains a pleasant and colorful example of its class.
Cf. G.A.W., p. 283. Newark fig. 74. Hans Cohn Collection, fig 48.
Estimated
Value $550-750.
Lot 4703
Two Colorful Ampules, or
Vials, in Blue Glass. Roman 1st to 2nd century AD. Heights: 2-3/8"; 3-3/4".
1. A miniature ampulla, perhaps Syrian, featuring an everted and carinated lip
with a short cylinder neck and broad piriform body. The vessel shows areas of a
white-silvery patina, while the blue glass displays a vivid, metalic-like
iridescence. 2. This small "candlestick" unguentarium is essentially a long
flaring neck with a flat, everted mouth and a small flaring, ring-like base.
Blown of dark blue glass, the vial is thick and heavy with flecks of silvery
iridescence and other scattered colors. Both pieceas are intact and perfect. An
excellent lot of two! Cf. G.A.E. Vol. 1, pl. 89; Newark, fig. 506.
Estimated Value $250-400.
Lot 4704
A Pair of Ampulla, or
"Tear" Flasks with Vivid Iridescence. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD.
Heights: 3-1/2"; 5-1/2", both mounted on wood bases. Both of similar type,
the pair are light and pale green glass with cylindrical necks that are
slightly constricted at their bases on piriform bodies. One has a flat, rolled
rim to the mouth, while the other is carinated. Both feature mottled
iridescence: silvery patches which change color to intense lime green, bright
cobalt, or hot coppery colors. A choice pair of bottles.
Estimated Value
$200-300.
Lot 4705
Another Pair of "Tear"
Flasks with Vivid Iridescence. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Heights:
3-1/2"; 4-1/2". A pair of similar flasks, these appear in yellow and pale green
glass with cylindrical necks that are slightly constricted at the base and set
on piriform bodies. Both feature flat, rolled rims at the mouths. Each with
silvery patches that change in color from intense lime green, and bright cobalt
blues, to hot coppery colors. A choice pair of bottles, with color that stays
in the mind's eye!
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 4706
Two Nice Unguentaria.
Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Lot of two. Heights: 5-3/8"; 3". 1. The
larger piece is green glass with a wide, flat everted lip and a long cylinder
neck on a short conical body. Intact and perfect, with appealing translucent to
brightly metallic green, silver, copper and blue iridescence. 2. The second
piece is similar but miniature, in green-tinged light yellow glass with a drop
body set upon a thick, folded foot. Intact with lightly weathered and lightly
irdescent surface. CF. G.A.E. Vol. 1, pl. 67; Newark, fig. 401, for first. Cf.
G.A.E. Vol. 1, fig 127; Newark fig. 509, for second.
Estimated Value
$200-350.
Lot 4707
Large, Heavy Flask in
Marbled Glass. Roman Syria, 1st to 2nd century AD. Height: 6". Large and
robustly made, this unguentarium flask is fashioned from a marble-like glass
having opaque white and brown irregular bands set in a light green matrix --
very much resembling a greenish alabaster. With a wide mouth and thick everted
rim, this bottle has a short cylindrical neck set on a broad piriform body. Old
repairs appear on the neck and side. Otherwise the glass is choice and fresh.
Early Imperial marble glass is scarce and avidly collected. Having the old
repairs properly and professionally redone would give one a significant glass
object of museum quality. Cf. G.F.M. fig. 38 (Syrian 1st century A.D.); G.A.E.
Vol. 1, pl. 43h & 44; Hans Cohn Collection, fig. 36; Sammlung Opplander, nos.
371ff.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
Lot 4708
Large and Rare Tear-shaped
Flask, in Marbled Glass(?). Possibly Roman Alexandria or Sidon. 1st to
2nd century AD. Height: 10". Fashioned from very thick,
opaquish-translucent green glass, this bottle is either blown or perhaps built
up over a core. The mouth has a thick, shelf-like outfolded rim; the large
cylindrical neck has a constricted juncture just before the long, pear-shaped
body. With a rounded, concave base. The surface is heavily patinated and
iridescent -- almost completely covered with wavy striations of a milky
white-silver, purple, blue, green and gold iridescence. Judging by the
irregular and striated patterning of the time-etched glass, the bottle would
appear to be made of "marbled" glass similar to the preceding lot. The
marblized series of vessels are always rare and sought after. If this is the
case, this bottle is especially rare for being the largest example of
this glass type of which we are aware. The bottle shows numerous but stable age
cracks. Some repairs, and likely some modest restoration. Cf. Hans Cohn
Collection, fig. 37; note also, Ede, Collecting Antiquities, fig. 301c,
a smaller (6-5/8") but closely similar example in translucent green with opaque
white bandings.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 4709
Lot of Two Stylish
Unguentaria. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Heights: 4-5/8"; 8". Lot of two
delicate long-necked bottles blown from clear and green glass. Both are of a
similar form but the smallest features a flattened ovoid body, while the larger
has a constricted neck and hemisperical body with a deeply concave base. Both
are intact and perfect. The smaller bottle has a translucent to near opaque
white and silver-gold iridescence. The larger piece displays a brown-green to
silvery iridescence. A handsome pair, with distinctive shapes. Cf. G.A.E. Vol.
1, pl. 67; and, A.G. l. 75 for smaller; for second, Newark fig. 425.
Estimated Value $250-400.
Lot 4710
Flask with Stylish
Bell-shaped Body. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Height: 6-1/8". This very
substantial bottle is blown from light green glass. Its mouth has a very thick,
rolled and everted rim and a narrow, slightly flaring neck that is attached to
the rounded lower body that is a flaring cone shape. The base is very deeply
concave. Intact and perfect. With thin, transparent iridescence featuring quite
appealing bright greens, magents, and copper hues. Well proportioned and
symmetrical. A very fine bottle. Said to have been found in Pergamum.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 4711
Lot of Two Attractive
Cosmetic Vessels. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Heights: 2-1/8"; 2-1/4". 1.
A miniature ampulla with a wide and flared mouth that has a broad folded lip
and a short neck on this spherical body. Blown from fairly thick light green
glass. With pleasing silvery-violet iridescence, tending to blues and light
magentas, with occasional copper. 2. The second piece is a short unguentarium
of exceptionally heavy, thick-walled green glass. The mouth has a broad flat
rim with a wide cylindrical neck and short flattend conical body. Two age
cracks seen, but the bottle is very stable and strong. This piece shows only
faint, transparent iridescence. A good lot! Cf. Newark, fig. 517, for first.
The second found in Israel, near the Ayelet Hashahar Kibbutz, Upper Galilee.
Cf. Newark, fig. 139.
Estimated Value $250-400.