The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 4787
Ornate Juglet. Roman, c.
3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 3-5/8". Blown from light green glass, this
vessel has a wide funnel mouth, which is slightly cupped, and a flaring
cylinder neck on a high-domed body with a concave bottom. In the same colored
glass, the bottle is decorated with trailed glass threads that encircle the
base of the mouth. There is a thick collar around neck and a straight handle at
the back. Intact and choice, with delicate, muted gold iridescence, along with
bright flashes of green, magenta, and purple. Written on bottom in India ink:
"MT. CARMEL, LWRNC, JUNE 1879".
Estimated Value $350-550.
Lot 4788
Rare Four-handled
Balsamarium. Roman, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 3-5/8". This robust
little bottle is blown from yellow glass and features a funnel mouth, a narrow
neck and ovate, almost biconical body atop a wide folded and flared foot. From
the mouth to neck is a decorative spiral trailing of aubergine or brown glass.
Four applied loop handles appear in dark green. Intact and perfect, with
patches of bright, intensely colored iridescence -- mostly green, turquoise, or
violet. Choice and rare! Cf. Sammlung Opplander no. 676.
Estimated Value
$500-850.
Lot 4789
Large Pitcher in Green.
Roman, perhaps Syria, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 9". Well proprtioned
and graceful, this ewer has a funnel mouth with a thick rolled rim that has
been folded into broad trefoil. The piriform body rests on a wide folded and
flared foot. A wide, flat ribbon of darker green is folded into a handle at the
back. Intact and perfect. The bottle displays a transparent to heavy and opaque
iridescence, in silvery greens-blues, coppers, and pastel magentas. A fine show
piece. Cf. G.A.E. Vol. II, fig. 446.
Estimated Value $700-950.
Lot 4790
Graceful Small Pitcher.
Roman Syria, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 6-1/4". A handsome flask, blown
from pale green glass. The vessel has a flared rim and rolled lip on the slight
funnel mouth. With a flaring cylinder neck atop an ovoid body, the whole piece
sits upon a small , folded ring foot. Adrawn handle of u-shaped section
attaches at the rim and body. Pitcher is cracked and repaired with slight
losses. With a pleasant mottled iridescence. A very attractive shape, which
some professional repair could only enhance. Cf. G.A.E. Vol. 11, fig. 185;
G.F.M. fig. 63.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 4791
Fine Iridescent Juglet.
Roman, c. 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 4-1/8". This robust oinochoe is
blown from an emerald-tinged light green glass. With a thick-rimmed funnel
mouth that is tightly pinched into a trefoil spout, the cylindrical neck is
short and flares into an angular ovate body, all of which sits upon a folded
cylinder foot. At the back appears a trailed and folded, channel-like handle.
Intact and perfect. With fine, textured translucent to transparent iridescence,
in lovely greens, blues,coppers, and magentas, plus silver. A choice antiquity!
Cf. G.A.E. Vol. 11, fig. 185d.
Estimated Value $500-800.
Lot 4792
An Elegant "Vase" in Pale
Yellow Glass. Roman, c. 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 10-1/4". Simply
fashioned and expertly blown, this vase (or decanter) features a long neck
flaring into a mouth that is slightly turned out with a cut-edge rim. The body
is a piriform shape and rests on a wide, folded and rounded foot. The vessel
displays areas of an earthen or black crusty patina which frames patches of
vivid green, gold, copper, blue and purple iridescence. Tiny, trivial chipping
appear at the rim. Otherwise, the vase is intact and choice.
Estimated
Value $500-800.
Lot 4793
A Flashy Unguentarium.
Roman, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 4-1/2". A substantial piece, in thick
yellow-green glass. The vase, blown with a shallow funnel mouth with a thick
rim, also features a long cylindrical neck that flares out into a small
piriform body. The piece sits on a broad, folded, flaring foot. Twin v-shaped
handles have been applied to the rim in deep green. Swaths of astonishing
iridescence appear in soft cremes and gold-orange, with additional flashy
metallic greens, blues, and indigo accents. Intact and perfect, this vase will
surely be a favorite in any collection.
Estimated Value $550-850.
Lot 4794
Graceful Double-handled
Balsamarium in Deep Yellow Glass. Roman, perhaps Syria, 3rd to 4th
century AD. Height: 4-5/8". Well proportioned with an ample foot, this
globular-piriform body has a medium wide neck and a funnel mouth. In the same
color glass, a heavy trailed ring appears beneath the rim, and twin curved
handles are narrow with wide thumbrests. The body shows mold blown, vertical
ribbing. An old European collection piece with a few modest repairs that appear
to have been done in the 19th or early 20 th century. Cf. Ede, Collecting
Antiquities, fig. 308a.
Estimated Value $275-375.
Lot 4795
A Substantial Balsamarium.
Roman, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 4-1/2". Blown in a thick, cleanly
colored green glass. This bottle has a broad funnel mouth with a thick rolled
rim. A cylinder neck expands into a long body of narrow drop shape and is set
atop a thick folded and flared foot. Thick glass threads crisscross around the
neck. There is some chipping to the threads, otherwise the bottle is well
preserved. Speckled green, purple, copper, and blue iridescence, with some
areas of more vibrant colors. Ref: A.G. pl. 58, from a grave at Beit Fejjar,
Palestine.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 4796
Unusual Object with Fine
Iridescence. Roman, c. 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 3-7/8". This
uncertain object has an appearance like an unguentarium but is perhaps the
candle or wick holder to a cup-like lamp, such as lot no. 4736, as seen
previously. The object is comprised of a narrow, thick rimmed tube which
appears to have been fused as a separate piece to the flared foot of a cup or
beaker. A chipped thin ridge circles the foot where a vessel's body would have
been attached (this had been chipped away in antiquity). Both the tube and foot
are comprised of the same translucent green-tinged yellow glass. Two patches of
chips affect the edge of the foot, otherwise the piece is basically as found.
The object features an almost uniform iridescent coating in softly metallic
greens, blues and whites, with accents of of copper and orange. Is this part of
a larger object, or an ancient patch-together or salvage job? An intriguing,
but neverthless colorful "what's it?".
Estimated Value $250-UP.
Lot 4797
Ornately Handled
Balsamarium. Roman, 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 4-5/8". In thick
aqua-green glass, this broad tube is folded and pinched into two adjoining
tubes. Each side of the tube has flared mouths and narrow cylinder bodies with
slightly tapered bases, all of which are melded into a larger, curved and
rounded base. At the sides are lengthy handles of looped glass, one in aqua
glass, the other green. Intact and perfect. With opaque to transparent silvery
to green, purple, copper, and blue muted iridescence. Attractive and complete,
scarce thus.
Estimated Value $500-800.
Lot 4798
Bale Handled Balsamarium.
Roman, 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 6-1/2". Another double-bodied,
cylindrical cosmetic vessel similar to the preceding, again in green glass.
This piece has twin v-shaped handles which are surmounted by a larger u-shaped
bail handle. A delicate deep aqua threading courses around the tubes. With a
small chip to one side of the base of the bail. Otherwise the bottle is intact
and complete! With opaque soft gold-silver or transparent green, blue and red
iridescence. Choice and rare for being so undamaged. Cf. A.G. pls. 28 & 59
(Palestine).
Estimated Value $650-950.
Lot 4799
Rare Quadruple
Unguentaria. Roman, 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 4-5/8". This large tube
of finely colored green glass is pinched and fused into four adjoining tubes.
Each has flared mouths and thin cylinder bodies with slightly bulbous bases,
all of which are melded into a larger, curved and rounded base. Encircling the
top of the vessel is a trail of dark aqua glass in a zigzag and looped pattern
with additional spiraling around the length of the unguentarium. At the mouths
appears the remains of a bail handle in dark aqua, that is now missing. Some
losses and chips to the trailed glass, otherwise the bottle is quite pristine.
Scattered over the piece and mostly on one side, is a speckled dark to bright
green and blue iridescence, with additional warm rose and violet colors. An
intricate, and eye catching cosmetic container in its time, it remains an
unusual and very rare variant to its more mainstream relatives. Cf. Newark,
fig. 184.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 4800
Double-Balsamarium in Lime
Green. Roman Levant, c. 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 5". This slim tube
of lime color is pinched and fused into two narrow tubes. Each have slightly
flared mouths and thin bodies which are spirally encircled by glass thread. Two
thin loop handles appear at the sides. Intact with blackish crust, which
reveals scattered speckles of bright to brilliant green, purple, copper, and
blue iridescence.
Estimated Value $350-550.
Lot 4801
Rare Tripod Balsamarium.
Roman, perhaps Syria, c. 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 5-7/8". Blown in
thick green glass, this bottle displays an usual form with its funnel mouth on
a narrow drop-shaped body. In addition, two thick loop handles have been
applied at the sides and the thick folded base is pinched into three feet. Thin
applied threading spirals around the body. With a chip to the rim that has been
repaired in wax. Otherwise the bottle is in fine condition.With vey fine
silvery to bright iridescence in greens, blues, coppers, magentas, and gold.
Attractive and something different. Professional restoration of chip very much
recommended. Cf. A.G. fig. 58; also the Hasseini find, a grave at Beit Fajjar,
Palestine 2nd-3rd century AD, Quarterly Dept of Antiquities Palestine
Vol. IV, 1935, pl. LXXXV; G.F.M. fig. 107.
Estimated Value $400-650.
Lot 4802
Ornate Ampulla Sprinkler,
with Choice Iridescence. Roman Syria, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 3".
Blown from heavy pale green glass, this bottle has a shallow funnel mouth and
mold-decorated spherical body. The bottle is decorated with a variant to the
already seen grape flasks -- essentially a net pattern appears with raised
bosses within each square. Used for oils and perfumes, the vessel's neck has
inner diaphragm to restrict the flow of liquid. Intact with areas of bright
greens, golds, coppers, and vivid violets. A choice artifact. Cf. Newark, figs.
80 & 81.
Estimated Value $300-450.
Lot 4803
Two Funnel Mouth Jars with
Lovely "Peacock" Iridescence. Roman Near East, c. 4th to 6th century AD.
Heights: 3-3/8"; 3-1/2". 1. The first piece is earliest and crafted in
clear or pale yellow glass, with a funnel-shaped mouth abutting the nearly
spherical body. With concave bottom. The overall darkish patina shows patches
of intense silver to rose, green, turquoise, and violet iridescence. 2. The
second, later flask is done in clear glass with a smallish, slightly cupped
mouth and bulbous body that has carinated shoulders and a deeply indented base.
This piece displays similar but even more expansive and intense purple to blue,
silver to lime, and green and golden rose iridescence. Both vessels show some
cracks which have been stabilzed or expertly repaired. This aside, the pair
make for exceptional display objects.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Lot 4804
Ornate Jar with Trailed
Decoration and Fine Iridescence. Roman, 4th to 5th century AD. Height:
2-7/8". Blown from aqua-green glass, this jar has a flattened funnel mouth with
inward folded rim, a short constricted neck and ovoid-globular body. The base
is concave. Trailed around the mouth and body is a zigzag line of glass in the
same aqua color. The vessel is intact and perfect, with marvellous
silvery-violet iridescence, with touches of vivid blues and greens, and bright
magentas. This jar would happily grace any major collection.
Estimated
Value $750-UP.
Lot 4805
Fine Jar with Trailed
Glass Threading. Roman Syria, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 3-3/8".
This jar in light green glass features a wide mouth and slightly out-turned rim
with a heavy folded collar beneath. The neck is fairly broad and the body is
sharply ovoid. A continuous thread of darker green trailed glass forms three
encircling rings and a thicker zigzag pattern below. Heavy and robust, the jar
is intact and perfect. The piece is enhanced with a thin to transparent
silvery-creme iridescence and brighter accents in green and rose. A fine
example of this class. Cf. G.A.E. Vol 11, fig. 177 b & c; Newark, fig. 180.
Estimated Value $500-650.
Lot 4806
Rare Late Imperial Glass
Coin Weight. Roman, c. 4th to 5th centruy AD. Diameter: 1-15/16". Likely
Constantinian Era. Formed from leaf green glass, the hot glass blob was
impressed into a mold having the image of an emperor, cuirassed and facing,
standing in a quadriga (four-horse chariot), and holding a wreath and elaborate
scepter. The glass disc is a bit on the small side as the outer two horses are
not wholly visible. The disc weighs 32.25 grams, the weight apparently equal to
10 silver siliquae(?). The weight is intact, with moderate wear, and areas of
speckled gold, silver, purple, green and blue iridescence. An excessively rare,
and historical artifact! For motif, cf. gold coins minted for Constantine the
Great, at Constantinople, ca. 336-337 AD., Roman Imperial Coins, no.
105; and similar at Nicomedia, ca. 330-331 AD., nos. 164, 170.
Estimated
Value $750-UP.
Lot 4807
Late Empire Flask. Roman,
4th to 5th century AD. Height: 6-3/4". Blown in light green glass, this
bottle has a narrow funnel mouth with a slightly flared rim and constricted
neck that flares into an elegant drop-shaped body. With a folded flaring foot.
Two fine, encircling glass threads appear at the base of the mouth. Intact and
perfect. Bottle with transparent blue, green and purple iridescence, with more
opaque areas of same, plus colors of silver, copper , and fine gold. Cf. G.A.E.
Volume 1, pl. 65b.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Lot 4808
Mid-sized Flask in Yellow.
Roman, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 6-1/4". This vessel is mold blown
in pale yellow glass with a narrow, rimless funnel mouth on a sharply ovate
body. The walls feature faint, oblique tooling marks that spiral around the
body. Negligible chipping (ancient) on part of the rim. Otherwise the bottle is
intact with a with thin to transparent silvery to speckled green, purple,
copper, and blue iridescence.
Estimated Value $300-450.
Lot 4809
Large Late Empire Flask.
Roman, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 7". This bottle is heavy and
substantial in light green glass. The vessel is mold blown with a long, rimless
funnel mouth on its sharply ovate body. The walls show faint vertical ribbing.
Intact and perfect, with thin to transparent silvery to speckled green, purple,
copper, blue iridescence, mostly on one side. Stylish and impressive, this
flask would well grace anyone's collection. Cf. Newark, no. 438.
Estimated
Value $500-750.
Lot 4810
Exotic Late Empire Flask.
Roman, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 4-7/8". This rather substantial
bottle is blown in light green glass. With a long, rimless funnel mouth on its
sharply ovate, flattened body, the bottle has a slightly concave base. Intact
and perfect, with with subtle translucent to transparent creme-silvery and
mottled green, purple, copper, blue iridescence. Stylish and distinctive
looking.
Estimated Value $300-450.
Lot 4811
Two Colorful Bangles. Late
Antique or Islamic, c. 6th to 11th century. Widths: 3-1/2"; 3-5/8". Both
glass bracelets are robustly fashioned with a broad central band flanked by
borders of black and white spirally twisted cane glass. One bracelet appears in
bright turquoise with three splashes of yellow; the other in apple green with
four splashes of yellow. One shows a little chipping to some of the cane, but
otherwise choice and without the cracks usually seen on these. The green bangle
is lightly iridescent. A good lot.
Estimated Value $200-300.