Ancient Rome, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. One of the finest and largest ancient glass vessels we have ever encountered! A free-blown oinochoe in blue-green translucent glass with a globular, almost apple-shaped body and trefoil spout, an applied ring around the lower neck, a thick and wide trailed and applied strap handle pulled up from the shoulders, folded on the underside and over the interior terminating in an elegant swirl, all upon an outsplayed foot that is tooled with gorgeous flowing lines reminiscent of feather patterns. Beyond its graceful form, brilliant color, and expert technique, time has also contributed to its aesthetic as residue and mineral deposits have added marvelous organic swirled patterns. In addition, there are delightful internal areas of rainbow irridescence! Size: 10-1/8" tall.

A similar example, though smaller and without a trefoil spout, sold at Christie's for $5,250 (6 June 2013, NY, lot 520, sale 2709) - See http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/a-roman-glass-jug-circa-3rd-4th-century-5684670-details.aspx Most scholars agree, Roman glass was of the highest quality -both aesthetically and technically - among the ancients. While glass making had been practiced for centuries, the Romans invented glass blowing in the 1st century BCE which revolutionized the artform. We can appreciate such a wide variety of forms and shapes, because the medium of glass has unique physical properties that make for so many more possibilities than metal or clay. Roman glassmakers reached incredible artistic heights with both free-blown vessels and mould blown forms and decorations.

Provenance: Ex-Denenberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles, CA.

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#110105

Small section of rim reattached and broken pontil made during the creation of the piece, else choice