Ancient Roman, Empire Glass Roman Glass Juglet with Cobalt-Blue Handle - 14 cm

A very attractive Roman glass juglet made of transparent to translucent blue-green glass and distinguished by a striking deep cobalt-blue applied handle.

The vessel has a compact, approximately cylindrical to slightly bulbous body with a rounded shoulder. From the shoulder rises a long, slender, almost cylindrical neck, widening slightly towards the mouth. The vessel terminates in a distinctly everted and thickened rounded rim.

A small but substantial loop handle of intensely cobalt-blue glass is applied to one side. It rises from the shoulder towards the lower part of the neck, where it is attached to the vessel. The deliberate use of more strongly coloured glass for the handle creates an attractive contrast with the lighter blue-green body.
The base is slightly concave and displays manufacturing characteristics associated with free-blown glass production.

One of the most visually distinctive characteristics of the vessel is its extensively weathered ancient surface.
Large areas of the body are covered with greyish-white to silvery weathering layers and mineral deposits, between which the original blue-green colour of the glass remains visible.

The neck also displays areas of iridescence, producing subtle green, yellowish and violet reflections. Such effects are commonly associated with the long-term alteration of the surface layers of archaeological glass.
Beneath the deposits, the separately applied handle retains its notably intense cobalt-blue colour.
Typological Context

Small single-handled glass jugs formed part of the extensive repertoire of Roman glass vessels. The development and widespread adoption of glass-blowing during the Roman period allowed vessels of this type to be produced in a wide variety of forms, colours and sizes.

Small juglets could have been used for the storage, serving or pouring of relatively small quantities of oils, perfumes, cosmetic preparations or other valuable liquids. Without a documented archaeological context, however, the original contents and precise function of this particular vessel cannot be determined.
The contrasting cobalt-blue handle is a particularly attractive decorative feature and gives the vessel considerable visual character.

Attractive archaeological condition for an ancient glass vessel.
The surface displays extensive iridescence, weathering, surface alteration and mineral and earthy deposits, with varying degrees of weathering across the body.

The rim, neck and vessel body appear largely preserved, and the separately applied cobalt-blue handle is present. Minor age-related surface irregularities and wear are visible.
Please refer carefully to the photographs for the exact condition.

Provenance
Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany. Acquired during the owners' extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection has been documented in Germany since 1970 and remained in continuous family ownership thereafter.
As was customary for private purchases made in local markets during the 1950s–1970s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested. The provenance is documented through continuous family ownership, historical photographs, and supporting biographical records.