Ancient Roman Glass Jug with Wide Handle






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Ancient Roman blown blue‑green glass jug with a single wide strap handle, square body with flat sides, a cylindrical neck and everted rim, a moulded flower on the base, measuring circa 17 cm high by 6.7 cm wide by 6.4 cm deep, with the base corner professionally repaired, acquired from the London art market in the 1980s–1990s and previously from a private collection.
Description from the seller
An excellent Ancient Roman blown blue-green glass jug with a single handle in the same colour. The vessel has a square body with flat sides slightly tapering downward. Rounded shoulders lead to an indented area, from which a cylindrical neck with an everted rim rises. A broad strap handle has been applied from the shoulder to the neck and features a 'combed' ribbing. The vessel sits on a flat base decorated with a moulded flower outline. The base has been professionally repaired in the corner. Beautiful iridescence and earthly encrustation to the surface.
Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user to carefully pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making. The new technique allowed craftsmen to use smaller amounts of glass for each vessel and obtain much thinner walls, thus enabling the creation of small medicine, incense and perfume containers in new forms. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.
Measurements: Circa H 17cm x W 6.7cm x D 6.4cm
Provenance: Ex London Art Market, acquired 1980s-90s.
Seller's Story
An excellent Ancient Roman blown blue-green glass jug with a single handle in the same colour. The vessel has a square body with flat sides slightly tapering downward. Rounded shoulders lead to an indented area, from which a cylindrical neck with an everted rim rises. A broad strap handle has been applied from the shoulder to the neck and features a 'combed' ribbing. The vessel sits on a flat base decorated with a moulded flower outline. The base has been professionally repaired in the corner. Beautiful iridescence and earthly encrustation to the surface.
Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user to carefully pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making. The new technique allowed craftsmen to use smaller amounts of glass for each vessel and obtain much thinner walls, thus enabling the creation of small medicine, incense and perfume containers in new forms. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.
Measurements: Circa H 17cm x W 6.7cm x D 6.4cm
Provenance: Ex London Art Market, acquired 1980s-90s.
Seller's Story
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
