Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A gorgeous mold-blown glass vessel presenting pale blue-green hues and an elegant composition. The pouring vessel sits upon a wide discoid foot and has a tall body, a rounded shoulder, a tubular neck, a thin cupped rim, and an applied trail handle joining rim to shoulder. A thin rigaree trail coils around the underside of the rim and around the midpoint of the neck, and the body is embellished with dozens of mold-formed vertical ribs. The pale coloration of the vessel is finely complemented by thick, fiery areas of silvery and rainbow-hued iridescence in hues of emerald, citrine, topaz, sapphire, amethyst, ruby, and gold. An exquisite oinochoe replete with meticulous detailing and a superb presentation. Custom lucite display stand included. Size: 3" W x 5.875" H (7.6 cm x 14.9 cm); 6.3" H (16 cm) on included custom stand.

Pliny the Elder paid homage to the beauty of the many hues created in hand-blown glass, including white, as well as colorless translucent glass, "There is, furthermore, opaque white glass and others that reproduce the appearance of fluor-spar, blue sapphires or lapis lazuli, and, indeed, glass exists in any color . . . However, the most highly valued glass is colorless and transparent, as closely as possible resembling rock-crystal." (Pliny, Natural History XXXVI.198 from "Solid Liquid" catalogue, Fortuna Fine Arts, New York, 1999, p. 64.)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#135235

Surface wear and light abrasions commensurate with age as expected, minor nicks and light roughness to rim, handle, body, and base, with some fading to coloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Nice earthen deposits as well as fabulous silvery and rainbow iridescence throughout.