Culture: GREEK/ EARLY ROMAN.



Date: 1ST CENTURY BC - 1ST CENTURY AD.



Origin: EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.



Material: OPAQUE DARK RED GLASS.



Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION.



Condition: INTACT, WITH NO APPARENT REPAIRS.



Measurements: 4.2 INCHES HIGH, (10.6 CMS).

A highly important type of flask that is seldom offered and missing from major collections. It has green metallic patina. The body is pear shaped with a flat base, narrow neck and a splayed rim. The green patina on this flask was produced by the emission of copper from the glass, which formed this patina that is surrounding most parts of the body. There has been four examples cited in previous auctions, two of the same color but slightly larger, ( 1st one 6.5 inches high, 16.5 cms, the second one, 5.25 inches high, 13.4 cms), both were sold at the Sotheby Parke Bernet Auction of the Constable-Maxwell Collection of Ancient Glass, 4/5 June, 1979, lots 22 and 23. Lot 22 appeared again in auction held by Sotheby's London, lot 8, as part of the Important Acient Glass Collection formed by the British Rail Pension Fund, 24 November 1997, (estimate 20,000 - 30,000 English Pounds). The other two were auctioned at Sotheby's London, as part of the Benzian Collection of Ancient and Islamic Glass, 7 July, 1994, one in opaque white, the other in dark opaque red, as lots 49 and 50. Lot 49, the white one, 5.75 inches high, 14.6 cms, was published at the Journal of Glass Studies, vol. 22, Corning, 1980, p. 88, no. 2, under Recent Important Acquisitions. The estimate for this piece was 30,000 - 40,000 English Pounds, and sold for 77,400 English Pounds (equivalent of $126,000). Lot 50 is the closest to our flask in size, 4 inches high, 10.3 cms. It was exhibited at Kunstmuseum, Lucerne, 19th July - 13th September, 1981, and published in: 3000 Jahre Glaskunst, exhibition catalogue, Lucerne, 1981, p. 61, no. 144 (color plate p.17). The estimate was: 15,0000 - 20,000 English Pounds, and sold for 29,900 English Pounds (equivalent of $47,000).

Antiquities
Ancient Roman