Late Roman/Early Byzantine Lot of four late antique miniature glasses. - 57 mm
03
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12
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Current bid
€ 11
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Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 750 - € 900
 | €11 |
|---|
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A set of four late antique miniature glass vessels from the eastern Mediterranean, dating to the 3rd–8th century CE, in excellent condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Convolute of four late antique miniature glass vessels, 3rd–8th centuries CE.
Interesting lot of four late antique glass miniature vessels from the eastern Mediterranean. The group includes two small flasks as well as two spherical miniature vessels of different shapes and coloration.
The pieces show different glass colors and surface appearances, from yellowish-transparent to dark-appearing glass. Particularly attractive are the partial weathering layers with gold and rainbow iridescence, which formed during the long storage in the ground.
The individual objects:
1. Rectangular flask, 57 × 24 × 24 mm. Tightly pressed, almost square body with a clearly set-off, cylindrical neck. The strong weathering layer gives the surface an unusually stone-like appearance.
2. Rectangular flask, 57 × 22 × 22 mm. Slender, slightly rounded vessel body with a long neck; yellowish to olive-colored, translucent glass. Simple and balanced form.
3. Globular miniature vessel, 27 × 28 × 28 mm. Yellowish-transparent glass with a incised or engraved circular decoration. The surface preserves striking areas with gold to multicolored iridescence.
4. Small globular miniature vessel, 13 × 16 × 16 mm. Also from yellowish-transparent glass with incised or engraved circular decoration.
Such small glass vessels could have held small quantities of precious substances such as cosmetics, salves, perfumes, or medicinal preparations. The four different shapes together convey an appealing impression of the diversity of late antique small-format glass production.
Culture / Origin: Late Antique, eastern Mediterranean
Dating: 3rd–8th centuries CE
Material: Glass
Number: 4 vessels
Condition:
All four vessels intact with beautiful gold iridescence
Provenance:
Acquired 2026 in the German art trade, previously in private collection H. L., Rhineland; acquired 1994 from Gerhard Hirsch, Munich
The invoice from 2026 and a copy of the Hirsch catalog from 1994 are available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Convolute of four late antique miniature glass vessels, 3rd–8th centuries CE.
Interesting lot of four late antique glass miniature vessels from the eastern Mediterranean. The group includes two small flasks as well as two spherical miniature vessels of different shapes and coloration.
The pieces show different glass colors and surface appearances, from yellowish-transparent to dark-appearing glass. Particularly attractive are the partial weathering layers with gold and rainbow iridescence, which formed during the long storage in the ground.
The individual objects:
1. Rectangular flask, 57 × 24 × 24 mm. Tightly pressed, almost square body with a clearly set-off, cylindrical neck. The strong weathering layer gives the surface an unusually stone-like appearance.
2. Rectangular flask, 57 × 22 × 22 mm. Slender, slightly rounded vessel body with a long neck; yellowish to olive-colored, translucent glass. Simple and balanced form.
3. Globular miniature vessel, 27 × 28 × 28 mm. Yellowish-transparent glass with a incised or engraved circular decoration. The surface preserves striking areas with gold to multicolored iridescence.
4. Small globular miniature vessel, 13 × 16 × 16 mm. Also from yellowish-transparent glass with incised or engraved circular decoration.
Such small glass vessels could have held small quantities of precious substances such as cosmetics, salves, perfumes, or medicinal preparations. The four different shapes together convey an appealing impression of the diversity of late antique small-format glass production.
Culture / Origin: Late Antique, eastern Mediterranean
Dating: 3rd–8th centuries CE
Material: Glass
Number: 4 vessels
Condition:
All four vessels intact with beautiful gold iridescence
Provenance:
Acquired 2026 in the German art trade, previously in private collection H. L., Rhineland; acquired 1994 from Gerhard Hirsch, Munich
The invoice from 2026 and a copy of the Hirsch catalog from 1994 are available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Details
Culture
Late Roman/Early Byzantine
Century/timeframe
3. - 8. Jh. n. Chr.
Name of object
Lot of four late antique miniature glasses.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
57 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
28 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Depth
28 mm
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.
