Ancient Roman Translucent Glass Beaker

08
days
20
hours
49
minutes
11
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 450 - € 550
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DE
€1

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Ancient Roman translucent glass beaker lamp, circa 4th century AD, blown in light blue‑green glass with a tapering body that flares to a wide mouth and slightly everted rim, sitting on a dimpled circular base with faint wheel‑cut lines and iridescent surface traces; measurements about 8 cm high and 8.2 cm wide, provenance from a private collection in London, UK in the 1990s, authenticity original.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

A stunning Ancient Roman beaker lamp, blown from translucent glass with a light blue-green colouring. The vessel features a tapering body, slightly conical in shape, which flares upwards to meet a wide mouth and a slightly everted rim. The lamp sits on a dimpled circular base. Faint wheel-cut lines encircle the middle of the body and the mouth below the rim. Traces of iridescence to the surface of the glass. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age to the surface. Pinprick bubbles are visible throughout. Very minor chipping to the rim.

As in the modern day, glassware in antiquity was considered an art form, with the best pieces were valued higher than wares made from precious metals. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. The beaker did not appear before the Roman period, and it only began to be manufactured for everyday use with the invention of glassblowing. Roman beakers were usually plain, but some were decorated. In addition to functioning as drinking vessels, they also served as containers for various kinds of foods and ointments, as well as often serving as lamps. Like other utilitarian vessels, the beakers exhibited the same shapes over a long period of time, and they were probably manufactured in a number of production centres, not merely one.

Measurements: (circa) H 8cm x W 8.2cm

Provenance: From an important collection of glass, London, UK, 1990s.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

A stunning Ancient Roman beaker lamp, blown from translucent glass with a light blue-green colouring. The vessel features a tapering body, slightly conical in shape, which flares upwards to meet a wide mouth and a slightly everted rim. The lamp sits on a dimpled circular base. Faint wheel-cut lines encircle the middle of the body and the mouth below the rim. Traces of iridescence to the surface of the glass. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age to the surface. Pinprick bubbles are visible throughout. Very minor chipping to the rim.

As in the modern day, glassware in antiquity was considered an art form, with the best pieces were valued higher than wares made from precious metals. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. The beaker did not appear before the Roman period, and it only began to be manufactured for everyday use with the invention of glassblowing. Roman beakers were usually plain, but some were decorated. In addition to functioning as drinking vessels, they also served as containers for various kinds of foods and ointments, as well as often serving as lamps. Like other utilitarian vessels, the beakers exhibited the same shapes over a long period of time, and they were probably manufactured in a number of production centres, not merely one.

Measurements: (circa) H 8cm x W 8.2cm

Provenance: From an important collection of glass, London, UK, 1990s.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

Details

Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
Circa 4th Century AD
Name of object
Beaker
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Translucent Glass
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
United KingdomVerified
9051
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

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.

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