Ancient Roman Glass Two-Handled Sprinkler Flask
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,100
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Ancient Roman two-handled sprinkler flask made of glass in a light blue translucent hue, circa 1st–4th Century AD, with a mould-blown tubular body, impressed honeycomb pattern, two applied handles, raised ribs at the neck, circular concave base, iridescent milky patina, and a stable v-shaped crack, measuring approximately 10 cm high by 5 cm wide, from a private London collection provenance.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
An Ancient Roman two-handled flask, blown from translucent glass with a light blue hue. The vessel features a mould-blown tubular body, decorated with impressed dimpled, honeycomb pattern to the body. Beautiful raised ribs surround the pushed in base of the neck, which rises to an everted rim. Within the neck is a constricted opening. Two applied handles on either side extend outwards from the rolled rim, descending to the shoulders. The vessel sits on a circular concave base. There is a beautiful iridescence and milky patina to the surface of the glass. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age. Stable v-shaped crack to the neck.
Sprinkler flasks can be identified by the small inner-disk at the bottom of the neck. This disk has one small hole to allow precious liquids to be used sparingly, and the liquid was most likely perfumed oil for beautification. A further indication that the vessel was used to contain liquids is its wide mouth, which would have facilitated the easy and careful pouring of liquids into and out of the jar. Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines in antiquity because it was not porous. 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. Glass vessels 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 10cm x W 5cm
Provenance: From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.
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.
An Ancient Roman two-handled flask, blown from translucent glass with a light blue hue. The vessel features a mould-blown tubular body, decorated with impressed dimpled, honeycomb pattern to the body. Beautiful raised ribs surround the pushed in base of the neck, which rises to an everted rim. Within the neck is a constricted opening. Two applied handles on either side extend outwards from the rolled rim, descending to the shoulders. The vessel sits on a circular concave base. There is a beautiful iridescence and milky patina to the surface of the glass. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age. Stable v-shaped crack to the neck.
Sprinkler flasks can be identified by the small inner-disk at the bottom of the neck. This disk has one small hole to allow precious liquids to be used sparingly, and the liquid was most likely perfumed oil for beautification. A further indication that the vessel was used to contain liquids is its wide mouth, which would have facilitated the easy and careful pouring of liquids into and out of the jar. Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines in antiquity because it was not porous. 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. Glass vessels 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 10cm x W 5cm
Provenance: From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.
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 1st-4th Century AD
Name of object
Two-Handled Sprinkler Flask
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Glass
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
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
Sold by
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.
