Roman, late Republic to early Imperial Period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A skillfully ribbed bowl, mold-formed from translucent glass of a pale-aqua hue with a slight concave base, rounded walls, a flared rim, and eighty-three minute ribs radiating around the exterior. This style of glass is referred to as "pillar-molded" because of the specific production technique. Artisans would take a pliable sheet of colored glass and invert it atop a mold to form both the overall shape as well as the ribs when it was slipped and sagged across. Bowls like this example were likely used during the Roman "cena," or evening meal, probably for containing condiments like garum (fermented fish sauce). Size: 6.625" in Diameter x 1.875" H (16.8 cm x 4.8 cm).

For a very similar example, please see "Shining Vessels: Ancient Glass from Greek, Roman and Islamic Times." Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd., New York, 1991, pp. 18-19, fig. 24.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private S. K. Heninger collection, North Carolina, acquired in the 1970s

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#134724

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, losses to a couple of ribs, several small and stable hairline fissures, and light encrustations. Light earthen deposits as well as fabulous silver and rainbow iridescence throughout. Old inventory label on inside of rim.