The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 4838
Choice Cast and Molded
Ribbed Bowl in Blue. Roman, Italy or Levant, late 1st century BC. to
mid-1st century AD. The cast bowl of shallow phiale-like form, with concave
base, and twenty-four radiating ribs on the exterior. As is usual for this
class, the exterior smoothed by "fire polishing, the interior polished with
lapidary techniques, along with three wheel-cut grooves as ornament within.
Some light, cleanable calcareous patina outer sides, and slight traces of
iridescence. Intact and choice, without any of the large age cracks these
heavy, cast pieces seem to accumulate. Diameter: 5-1/4". A key piece of early
glass for any advanced collection. Cf. Sammlung Oppenlander no. 254.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 4839
Ribbon Glass Bottle in
White and Violet. Roman, 1st century AD. Little bottle of plump piriform
shape, with small everted rim and flattened bottom. The bands of opaque white
have been marvered into a symmetrical design of swags or gadroons. Intact and
very fine, with areas of opaque silvery to metallic iridescence in soft greens,
violets and magentas. Height: 2-/7/8", on custom stand. A fine example of this
desirable class of early Imperial glass. Cf. Sammlung Oppenlander, nos. 358,
367.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
Lot 4840
Superb Sidonian
Amphoriskos in Violet. Roman Phoenica, 1st century AD. Mold blown from a
two-piece form, the bottle with thin, shallow funnel mouth, broad neck, and
ovoid body on small cylindrical foot. At neck, twin drawn handles in aubergine
or brown-blue. Molded design on body comprised of central band of curling
floral arabesques, flanked by paired line border, with fluting above and below.
Intact and perfect, this delicate artifact in superb condition. Height: 2-3/4".
A choice example of this ardently collected class of early blown bottles. Bid
well or you'll miss this opportunity! Cf. Sammlung Oppenlander, nos. 413, 414;
no. 412, an oinochoe, perhaps from the same mold.
Estimated Value
$1,500-UP.
Lot 4841
Fine Thread-wound Bottle
in Deep Blue. Roman, 1st century AD. Charming little bottle, delicately
blown in deep azure or cerulean glass, with shallow funnel mouth, tapered neck
flaring into ovoid body. Starting at neck and ending at base, bottle wound with
fine, thin glass thread, apparently of the same blue, rather than in
contrasting white. Minor restoration to part of rim, otherwise in choice
condition. A few spots of white patina/iridescence, partcularly along last
length of threading. Rest of bottle with transparent iridescent in bright reds
and greens. Height: 2-7/8". Scarce and sought after subclass of Roman glass,
particularly in this eye pleasing blue. Cf. Sammlung Oppenlander no. 645.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
Lot 4842
A Choice Date Flask.
Roman, likely Syria, 1st century AD. Height: 2-5/8". Mold blown in fairly
thick, this lightly marbled brown glass has an admixture of white creating
zones of yellows, and thus a more realistic appearance. The bottle has a flared
mouth with an inward folded lip. The textured details on the body are very
clear. With a negligible, tiny chip at the exterior of the mouth, otherwise
bottle choice and very pristine. A truly special bottle! This series is always
desired and sought after by collectors of early blown glass. Cf. Matheson,
Yale, no. 142; Sammlung Oppenlander, no. 477.
Estimated Value $950-UP.
Lot 4843
Neatly Crafted "Sauce"
Plate. Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Width: 8-3/4". Blown in a colorful
yellow-green glass, this footed plate has a rolled rim that has been folded
down and inwards to form a reinforcing rim/angled wall around the plate. The
very shallow funnel form with folded foot creates a cup-like center and has a
raised central umbo. Intact and perfect. With transparent and subtle, to more
vivid iridescence in greens, violets, reds, limes, and magenta. Although light,
the dish has been innovatively and ruggedly made. Again this dish is formed to
drain sauces or juices to the central reservoir, much like lot no. #4737.
Choice and crack free. Cf. Sotheby's Constable-Maxwell Collection, lot no.
64.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 4844
Footed Bowl in Aqua.
Roman, 1st to 2nd century AD. Width: 5-1/4". Neat and symmetrical, this
dish is blown in light aqua-green glass. The bowl has a thick, everted, rolled
and folded down rim, short vertical walls, a folded ring foot, and a shallow
umbo at its center. The dish is intact and choice. With time-etched surfaces
displaying transparent and subtle, yet bright iridescence in greens, violets,
reds, limes, and periwinkle. A delightful example of utilitarian ware.
Estimated Value $600-850.
Lot 4845
Square-bodied Jug in
Green. Roman, c. 2nd century AD. Height: 4-3/4". Blown jug in light green
glass, this jug features a short cylinder neck and thick flattened rim. The
rectangular body is likely mold-blown to an even, square profile -- although
the corners are rounded and the straight walls are a bit concave. A ridged,
trailed handle is attched at one side. One lower corner has been restored to
match the bottle's crusty, earthen patina. Walls, neck and handle show areas of
sometimes vivid green, violet, red, lime, and indigo iridescence. Square-sided
bottles remain a less common form in ancient glass. Cf. Wolkenburg Collection,
Christies' London, 7/9/91, lot 71a.
Estimated Value $450-650.
Lot 4846
Large, Important Wheel-cut
Flask. Roman, c. 2nd to 3rd century A.D. This a grand-sized version in
aqua-green glass of the basic bottle/ungentarium shape: cylinder neck atop
piriform body, the mouth folded and throated, with rim slightly everted. At
regular intervals on neck and body, three broad cut grooves encircle the
vessel, these flanked by two narrower sharper grooves. Fabulously preserved for
a glass object this size, and with out any of the usual age cracks seen on
large heavy glass. Some minor, cleanble black crust, overall with fine
transparent iridescence favoring greens and magentas, and muted coppers.
Height: 12-1.8". A museum piece, not to be missed! Cf. Sammlung Opplander no.
508; and especially a beaker, lot no. 4742, seen previously for like
wheel-cut ornament, perhaps from the same workshop.
Estimated Value
$2,500-3,500.
Lot 4847
Fine Wide-bodied Jug.
Roman, c. 3rd century AD. Height: 5-1/8". Robust and blown in light green
glass, this distinctive bottle form features a wide plate-like mouth, a lightly
flared cylinder neck, and a wide hemispherical body with indented base. The
broad, neatly trailed handle has been attached at one side and folded into
v-shape. The handle is perhaps in a slightly different green than jug. Intact
and perfect, with thick, opaque silvery-violet iridescence along base. A choice
and showy bottle. Cf. Sotheby's Constable-Maxwell Collection, lot no. 214.
Estimated Value $750-1,150.
Lot 4848
Decorated Sprinkler Flask.
Roman, c. 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 2-3/4". In light green glass, the
body of this flask features a mold-blown design. The bottle has a shallow
funnel mouth with rolled lip, a cylinder neck that is constricted at its base
with an integral diaphragm, and a piriform-ovoid body. The body has two
registers of raised lines in a herringbone pattern, such as seen earlier in lot
no. 4763. Intact and perfect, with silvery gray-violet iridescence, with
overtones of greens, reds, limes, and blues. Cf. Oliver, Yale, no. 206.
Estimated Value $375-575.
Lot 4849
Finely Iridescent Feeder
Bottle. Roman, 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 5". Blown from a pale green
glass, this bottle has an offset and slightly canted, shallow funnel mouth set
upon a long flaring cylinder neck, and a sharply ovoid body. Mid-way on body an
upward pointing spout projects. The body is wholly rounded so that the bottle
cannot be stood upright. Usual chipping to the spout tip, and a repaired break
at mouth with slight loss. Otherwise, the bottle is very fine with exceptional
layered, thick iridescence in silvery mauves, plus additional colors ranging
from frosted to metallicly bright. A little professional work would make this
bottle only better. Cf. La Baume, Köln, no. 87.
Estimated Value
$700-900.
Lot 4850
Rare Jar with Trailed
"Epigraphic" Ornaement. Roman, 3rd to 4th century AD. Jar blown from light
aqua-green glass, and of regular, symmetrical shape. Mouth a wide funnel with
folded throat, thick short neck, and sharply ovoid body. At three places along
side, dark blue glass has been applied in letter-like forms: W V W. Jar
pristine and perfect! Height: A very rare variant on a popular class of Late
Empire vessels.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
The normal form of
trailed decoration on this group, and similar squat cosmetic bottles, is a
regular continuous zigzag, or spiraling line. A handful are known where the
trailed glass actually forms a word or inscription, and this is what seems to
be intended on the above jar. For shape and treatment, cf. Newark, no. 178.
Lot 4851
Finely Iridescent Flagon.
Roman, c. 3rd to 4th century AD. Height: 3-5/8". Blown in pale green glass,
this bottle has a funnel mouth with a flared and folded rim, a narrow neck, and
sloping shoulders upon its cylindrical body. A heavy trailed ring of glass has
been applied under the rim. A narrow ridged and folded handle appears at one
side. Intact and very fine. The age-etched surfaces with delightful iridescence
in mellow and warm hues of red, gold, and rose, with accents of violet and
green. Cf. Hayes, ROM, no. 425.
Estimated Value $400-550.
Lot 4852
Double Unguentarium with
Superb Silvery Iridescence. Roman, 3rd to 5th century AD. A wide tube of
dark aqua blue glass has been pinched and folded along its middle to form this
colorful twin container for cosmetic oils or salves. The original tube with
heavy trailed glass thread wound about it, now forming a decorative, somewhat
herringbone-like pattern. At mouth and upper sides, two L-shaped handles,
trailed from the same deep aqua glass. Intact and perfect,and rare thus. With
fabulous thick silvery iridescence, having pastel hints of magenta and green.
Length: 5-1/16". A choice, dramatic example of this class.
Estimated Value
$1,750-UP.
Lot 4853
Perfume Vial in Aqua
Glass. Roman, c. 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 4-1/4". This bottle is a
simple but elegant form with a shallow funnel mouth, a cylindrical neck, and an
inverted conical body with sloping and rounded shoulders. The shoulders show
regularly spaced light indentations. With an age crack at the thick base,
otherwise the bottle stable and very fine. Vial displays slight hints of
subdued multi-hued iridescence.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 4854
Two Small Cosmetic
Bottles. Roman Near East, c. 3rd to 5th century AD. Height: 2"; 3-3/4"; the
second on metal stand. 1. Earliest, a little jar with a funnel mouth, a broad
ovoid body and indented base that is blown in leaf green glass. 2. Next, a
square-sided, thick bottomed flask or vial in emerald green glass. The bottle
has a narrow, deep funnel mouth and body of inverted, narrow pyramid form. Both
are intact and perfect, with little iridescence.
Estimated Value $250-400.
Lot 4855
Double Balsamarium in Rare
Yellow Color. Roman, c. 4th century AD. Height: 4-1/4". In a less common
brown-dark yellow glass, this bottle was fashioned from a larger folded and
crimped tube. Here the narrow cylinder bodies flare out towards flattened base.
Two looped handles have been attached at the sides. The balsamarium is finely
preserved, but lacking the central bail handle. Occasional, fine iridescence is
violet at the mouths and periwinkle blue at the base.
Estimated Value
$400-550.
Lot 4856
Choice Jar with Trailed
Ornament. Roman, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 2-3/4". This very
robust and stylish example is crafted in light green glass. The jar features a
broad funnel mouth with thickly rolled rim and a squat ovoid body with indented
base. Quite evenly and regularly spaced around its neck is a thick zigzag
trailing of glass in the same green as the jar. Intact and perfect, with little
or no iridescence. Choice. Cf. Hayes, ROM, 443; for squat shape, cf. Sotheby's
Constable-Maxwell Collection, lot no. 106. Eastern Mediterranean manufacture.
Estimated Value $950-1,250.
Lot 4857
Rare Jar with Trailed
Glass. Roman Syria, c. 4th to 6th century AD. Height: 1-3/4". In yellow
glass, this jar has a bowl-like form with sharply rounded shoulders and walls
tapering inward to smaller base all set upon a folded ring foot. The exterior
is heavily overlayed with sometimes irregular, but tightly spaced zigzag
ribbons of glass. The vessel has been reassembled with modest restoration. Jar
displays areas of silvery-black patina, plus scattered speckles of often vivid
metallic iridescence. Cf. a late Roman double balsamarium for comparable lavish
use of trailed and folded glass ribbons: Sammlung Oppenlander, no. 681b.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 4858
Unusual Trailed Glass Jar.
Roman, c. 4th to 5th century AD. Height: 3-3/8". An unusual variant of this
class. In leaf green glass this jar features a wide and deep funnel mouth, with
a broad, rolled and folded rim, and a smallish ovoid body. Lazy, long zigzags
of glass connect the mouth and shoulders. Walls of the body are indented,
making the bottle pentagonal in section. Intact and choice, with scattered
patches of sometimes vivid iridescence. Something different! Cf. Hayes, ROM,
442; for indented walls, Matheson, Yale, no. 310. Eastern Mediterranean
manufacture.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 4859
Very Large Storage Bottle
in Green. Roman, c. 4th to 6th century AD. Height: 11-7/8". Large and
robust, tise bottle resembles the canteen-like "Pilgrim's flasks." Blown this
green glass the vessel has a slightly flared cylinder neck which is constricted
at the base, and a globular body that has been flattened into a thick discoid.
With a chip at the rim, otherwise this huge bottle is free of the usual age
cracks. Hints of subdued multi-hued iridescence, mostly on one side. Cf.
Newark, fig. 170. The shape has proved to be surprisingly durable, with similar
bottles used in the 16th through 18th centuries for holding wine, transporting
madeiras, and even used up to recent times for fancy ports and the like.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 4860
A Group of Late Antique
Bottles. Roman Near East, c. 4th to 6th century AD. An cross section of
Late Roman vial shapes, probably originating in Syria. All with slight to broad
funnel mouths, short to long cylindrical necks, and body shapes ranging from
piriform to ovoid, to barrel, or to conical. Two with pinched or mold blown
ribbing along the walls. All are in pale to light green glass, from lightweight
to fairly thick. Each intact and choicely preserved, with some patinated almost
to the look of custard glass, while one or two with a faint hint of
iridescence. Heights: 1-7/8" - 2-3/4". Interesting material. The pontil
technique, and consistant glass color, almost suggesting these all might be
products of one workshop. Lot of 5 pieces.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 4861
Another Group Similar to
the Previous Vials. Roman Near East, c. 4th to 6th century AD. The smaller
vials akin in all respects to those in the preceding lot. The largest bottle
related to the other ribbed bottles, but on this the ribbing relegated to the
shoulder, which when the neck was folded inward, became a very distinctive
scalloped collar encircling the jar's now shortened neck. Preservation and
patinas same as previous, with one small vial with subtle gold, red and green
iridescence/patina. Heights: 2-1/4" - 2-3/4". Lot of 4 pieces.
Estimated
Value $350-450.
Lot 4862
Glass "Sphere" in
Yellow-green. Islamic, perhaps Syria, c. 8th-11th century AD. What is it? A
heavy ovoid of glass, in a particularly inviting color. Perhaps a weight (109.3
grams), or even a gaming piece. The piece a bit asymmetrical in profile, so it
does not roll easily. Other possiblities might include its use as a stopper, or
even a blank or ingot of raw glass, waiting to be broken up and melted for use.
Intact and lustrous, with many small circular marks, indicative of use and
wear. These recesses filled with vibrant, metallic-looking iridescence in
pinks, violets, reds, and greens. Diameter: 1-3/4".
Estimated Value
$350-450.