Early Romano-Egyptian Paste Glass Kohl Vessel

Egypt, early Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st century CE. A gorgeous kohl container in the form of a squat jar, mold-formed from paste glass of an opaque, pomegranate-red hue. The vessel is defined by a squat circular foot, an inverted piriform body with a trio of incised grooves, a rounded shoulder that tapers to a narrow neck, and a discoid rim with a wide mouth in the center. The exterior surfaces exhibit an enticing smoothness, and the interior displays traces of white and green cosmetic material. The rarity of this vessel stems from the color of the paste glass used to create it. The delicate nature of paste glass along with its propensity to change colors during the firing process meant that only expert glassmakers could obtain the desired vermilion hue. A fantastic example of paste glass artistry! Size: 2.125" W x 3.125" H (5.4 cm x 7.9 cm).

Red paste glass was some of the most beautiful and highly desired material used for commissioning both everyday items as well as elaborate funerary offerings. According to authors E. Marianne Stern and Birgit Schlick-Nolte, "The earliest datable glass examples are the fragments of two opaque red bowls found in a royal tomb dated ca. 20 B.C. at Meroe, Sudan . . . [and that] Opaque red glass was notoriously difficult to make and to form into objects because it turns black or green if it is melted in an oxidizing atmosphere." (Stern, E. Marianne and Birgit Schlick-Nolte. "Early Glass of the Ancient World: 1600 B.C. - A.D. 50 | Ernesto Wolf Collection." Verlag Gerd Hatje, Germany, 1994, p. 328)

For an example of a patella bowl made with similar opaque red paste glass, please see: Stern, E. Marianne and Birgit Schlick-Nolte. "Early Glass of the Ancient World: 1600 B.C. - A.D. 50 | Ernesto Wolf Collection." Verlag Gerd Hatje, Germany, 1994, pp. 328-329, no. 99.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Richard Wagner collection, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in the 1960s

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#149970
Condition Report: Possible repairs and/or restoration to areas of rim, but nearly invisible and not obstructive to the piece if present. Minor abrasions to foot, body, and rim, with light fading to areas of original color, and minor pitting across exterior. Light earthen deposits throughout.