Since early times glass has been very popular for jewelry and ornaments due to its translucent brilliance and rich coloration. Such objects were considered rare and costly,  More »

Since early times glass has been very popular for jewelry and ornaments due to its translucent brilliance and rich coloration. Such objects were considered rare and costly, even more valuable than gold, and only the wealthy could afford them. This lovely bracelet dates to a time when the art of glassmaking was at its height. The gorgeous green alternates with short bands of light amber, studded with tiny beads for texture. The aqua shade is streaked with red and silver, which suddenly comes alive in the light. Its narrow size indicates it was made for a child. The pride in wearing such a delightful bracelet is exactly the same today as it was centuries ago! - (GF.0344)   « Less

Since its earliest invention, glass was popular for jewelry and ornaments. Its translucent brilliance attracted the eye, while its rich colors imitated rarer and more costly  More »

Since its earliest invention, glass was popular for jewelry and ornaments. Its translucent brilliance attracted the eye, while its rich colors imitated rarer and more costly gems. This lovely bracelet dates to a period when the art of ancient glassmaking was at its height. Its color is a myriad of delicate shades. On the background of dark purple, vibrant violet-blue, sapphire, veridian green, fiery red and orange dance about with the changes of light. Its narrow size indicates it was worn by a child; and we can easily imagine it was worn with pride. - (GF.0345)   « Less

“Glass: Shiny, hard, fragile - shattering in an instant or surviving for thousands of years-a rigid liquid that is worked in a molten state- too hot to touch, but often  More »

“Glass: Shiny, hard, fragile - shattering in an instant or surviving for thousands of years-a rigid liquid that is worked in a molten state- too hot to touch, but often made by hand- molded, blown, cut, engraved, enameled, or painted. Of the craftsman, it demands the ultimate in steady nerves, skill, control, judgment, and spontaneity.” (Zerwick, Chloe. A Short History of Glass). Glass, a material developed in the eastern Mediterranean region, largely came to Rome with its makers, Syrian and Judean craftsmen, many of who were slaves. Between the mid-first century BC and the early seventh century AD, Roman glassmaking was influenced not only by the changing values and tastes of the Roman world, but also by historical events. Many new techniques of glassmaking were introduced along the way. Each glass vessel, in its shape and decoration, is therefore a record of the times in which it was made. This stunning vessel is a marvel of ancient sophistication and appreciation of beauty. It is doubtful that such a splendid bottle could be blown by modern craftsmen. Unfortunately, efficiency and multiplicity dominate most craft industries today. We have sacrificed beauty and individuality in order to achieve quickness and mass-production. However, this vessel is a reminder of other times, where beauty and skill were prized over all other qualities. When one considers the time involved in gathering and producing the oils or perfumes that once filled this bottle, we begin to discover the splendor of ancient times and the wonder of individual hand-craftsmanship. One can discern the action behind each concave dimple pressed into the jar, achieving a texture similar to snake skin. Today we value affordability and durability over artistry; yet this vessel would still be treasured and unique if it was just blown. However, the fact that this bottle represents the glories of antiquity and Ancient Rome makes it that much more magnificent. - (GF.0349)   « Less

Glass, a material developed in the eastern Mediterranean region, largely came to Rome with its makers, Syrian and Judean craftsmen, many of who were slaves. Between the  More »

Glass, a material developed in the eastern Mediterranean region, largely came to Rome with its makers, Syrian and Judean craftsmen, many of who were slaves. Between the mid-first century B.C. and the early seventh century A.D., Roman glassmaking was influenced not only by the changing values and tastes of the Roman world, but also by historical events. Many new techniques of glassmaking were introduced along the way. Each glass vessel, in its shape and decoration, is therefore a record of the times in which it was made.Long ago, during the height of the Roman Empire, this large light green glass bottle would have a substance even more precious than the container itself. With its long, cylindrical neck and large, oval body that recalls an apple both in shape and color, this vessel might have held any array of luxury items, such as perfume or fragrant unguents. Precious herbs and spices imported from distant lands and worth their weight in gold may have once been stored within. Although its prized contents have long since disappeared, this stunning vessel remarkably remains intact, a testament to the grace and beauty of Ancient Roman glass vessels. - (X.0077)   « Less

Glass, a material developed in the eastern Mediterranean region, largely came to Rome with its makers, Syrian and Judean craftsmen, many of who were slaves. Between the  More »

Glass, a material developed in the eastern Mediterranean region, largely came to Rome with its makers, Syrian and Judean craftsmen, many of who were slaves. Between the mid-first century B.C. and the early seventh century A.D., Roman glassmaking was influenced not only by the changing values and tastes of the Roman world, but also by historical events. Many new techniques of glassmaking were introduced along the way. Each glass vessel, in its shape and decoration, is therefore a record of the times in which it was made.Long ago, during the later days of the Roman Empire, this bluish green glass jar would have held precious substances worth their weight in gold. Fragrant resinous incenses such as frankincense or myrrh imported from South Arabia may have once been stored within this jar. Flavorful spices carried from distant lands along arduous trade routes may have once been contained in this vessel. Featuring a cylindrical body with rounded shoulders and a broad neck, this glass piece is remarkably intact although its contents have long since vanished. An iridescent patina and delicate weathering film cover areas of the work, testifying to the age of the work and further enhancing its natural beauty. - (X.0078)   « Less

Wide cylindrical clear light blue glass jug with rounded shoulders and very short neck, a constriction below, muff-shaped profiled rim, horizontally flanged, slightly concave  More »

Wide cylindrical clear light blue glass jug with rounded shoulders and very short neck, a constriction below, muff-shaped profiled rim, horizontally flanged, slightly concave base. The handle wide and flat with dense ribs, bent at a right angle.Although the precise origins of glass are unknown, we do know that the revolutionary technique of glassblowing was invented in the Syrio-Palestine region around 50 B.C., thousands of years after the discovery of glass. Before, glass was made through labor-intensive techniques that limited the vessels to the wealthy elite. However, glassblowing allowed vessels of larger sizes to be produced on a much larger scale and at a markedly faster pace. With the Roman conquest of the Eastern Mediterranean, glassblowing was imported into the heart of Rome along with its Phoenician and Judean makers.   « Less

The history of glass making before the Industrial revolution can be separated in two stages: in the first, which began in the 3rd millennium BCE and ended in the period from  More »

The history of glass making before the Industrial revolution can be separated in two stages: in the first, which began in the 3rd millennium BCE and ended in the period from 100 to 50 BC, craftsmen discovered how to transform raw materials into glass and how to make vessels and other objects either with moulds or by forming a molten glass around a removable core. Both techniques were labour-intensive and were seldom made in big quantities. In the second stage, beginning in the 1st century CE in the Syro-Palestinian region, glass workers found that molten glass could be formed by inflation and manipulation with tools. Glass blowing enabled them to make quickly a wide range of shapes, thus widening its market. However, after the 2nd century CE, glass is generally found in a more confined area. The change appears to have taken place under the Flavian Emperors (69-96 CE), an era that in many ways represents a watershed in the history of glass making. It is from this time onwards that glassblowing in the East and the West developed along independent lines, the only exception being fine tableware decorated with special techniques, which was probably due to the still unifying factor of the Roman Imperial administration.   « Less

This glass vessel is forged with such technique and skill that modern hands would find it impossible to duplicate. For a fleeting instant of a generation or two, it graced  More »

This glass vessel is forged with such technique and skill that modern hands would find it impossible to duplicate. For a fleeting instant of a generation or two, it graced the table or mantelpiece of an opulent eastern aristocrat within the Roman empire, for surely in a world that valued glass over gold, none but the wealthiest and most tasteful would posses a piece of this quality. Then, by fire, by flood, or perhaps by deliberate placement to keep it from falling into the hands of thieves or bandits- this piece of fragile glass ended up in the earth for two thousand years. As it sat, the lustrous transparency through which one could see the amber of oil or violet of wine began to garner the colors of the earth around it. The vessel darkened into a more permanent and richer violet, and the interplay of glass with dust brought forth patches of glowing iridescence. Now, running our hands across the surface of this glass, we see in its bold shape and deliberate execution, a work of human genius that has withstood the rigors of two millennia, and done so in the most frail and delicate of mediums. It entices us with its beauty and the allure of its romantic existence, and reminds us that at one point in our history, the quality and beauty of a single piece of glass was important enough to merit such loving and laborious craftsmanship. - (X.0611)   « Less

In the world of terracotta vessels, marble sculpture, and bronze adornment that was the Classical world, no material was prized so much as glass. The material itself was  More »

In the world of terracotta vessels, marble sculpture, and bronze adornment that was the Classical world, no material was prized so much as glass. The material itself was rare, and the process of its forging so laborious, that few artisans took the time necessary to develop the skill. It would have required years of experience for a glass-maker to yield a piece of this quality. This piece demonstrates not only an intimate understanding of the glassmaker’s craft but an equally delicate knowledge of the human form. Feel how perfectly the orb-shaped base fits into your hand. Notice how easily and comfortably your finger curves around the supple spout. When we notice how perfectly suited this vessel is for the human touch, it reminds us that this piece of art was created not only for the sake of beauty, but for utility. Imagine the wonderful existence of the Roman aristocrat who possessed this piece. Every cup he drained, every chair he sat upon, every door-handle he turned was crafted with infinite elegance and complete originality. To turn this piece over in our hands is to transport ourselves into a dimension in which every aspect of the ordinary is laced with incomparable beauty, and meticulous grace. While we enshrine magnificent pieces such as this bit of glass, there was once a time where everything in one’s world was of its quality. To possess it is to delicately hold, for the last time, a shred of a world where opulence, creativity, and the pursuit of the rare and exceptional were once as plentiful as glass is in the modern world - (X.0612)   « Less

Tubular jars were one of the two preferred shapes for containing kohl (black eye paint),together with double tubes, ever since its introduction in ancient civilisations.  More »

Tubular jars were one of the two preferred shapes for containing kohl (black eye paint),together with double tubes, ever since its introduction in ancient civilisations. Originally no fancier than hollow reeds, the tubes were soon made of luxury materials such as various metals, faience and glass. Well known are the Egyptian palm column containers of the New Kingdom. In countries where kohl was regularly used, containers were often made of glass and sometimes even decorated with an eye to render its function explicit. The alabastron which contained fragrant oil in Greece was then used for kohl in Western Asia. In the second half of the 3rd century the tubular glass jar became popular in Syria and Palestine, its elegant bulbous outline evoking a woman with bellowing skirts supporting a load on her head.Remains of kohl were found in several of these vessels, confirming their primary use as beauty containers. As such, this beautifully preserved iridescent jar indirectly evokes the elegance and sophistication of ancient Near Eastern women in those far-flung times. - (X.0613)   « Less