Greek Hellenistic Core-Form Glass Amphoriskos

Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 3rd to 1st century BCE. An intriguingly-colored example of a core-formed glass amphoriskos once used to hold fragrant oil. The vessel features a classic form with a piriform body and twin applied trailed handles that gracefully join the neck to the rim, all upon a concave base. The coloration of this piece is different from any other Hellenistic amphoriskos I have seen - deep, cobalt blue for the body with thread-like trails of wine red, pale blue, and creamy white skillfully pulled into a feathered pattern around the center with horizontal trails below and above on the neck. A divine work of glass art to be treasured for its impeccable form, beautiful hues, sophisticated technique, and wonderful traces of pearlescence adorning the rim, neck, and handles. Size: 2.45" W x 5.4" H (6.2 cm x 13.7 cm)

A vessel like this would have been made for the elites of ancient society. Its owner would have used a stopper to keep the contents inside, and a glass rod to dip into the vessel's perfumed oils and dab on the throat or wrists. The handles made it possible to suspend the vessel, and we know from Attic vase paintings that vessels like these could be worn off a belt at the waist or suspended from the wrist.

The Greeks created core-formed or sand core vessels by trailing threads of molten glass over a "core" of sand or clay to form the vessel. These threads were oftentimes feathered or dragged to create intriguing decorative patterns. The term amphoriskos literally means "little amphora" and is indeed a miniature amphora. This shape was quite popular as it was ideal to store precious oils, perfumes, or cosmetics.

According to the Corning Museum of Glass, core forming is "the technique of forming a vessel by winding or gathering molten glass around a core supported by a rod. After forming, the object is removed from the rod and annealed. After annealing, the core is removed by scraping." This process of glass making was begun in the late 16th century BCE by glassmakers of Mesopotamia, and then adopted by Egyptian glassmakers in the 15th century BCE. The technique almost came to an end in the so-called Dark Ages of Mediterranean civilization (1200 to 900 BCE);however, by the 9th century BCE a new generation of glassmakers took up the technique once again, and between the 6th and 4th century BCE core-forming spread throughout the Mediterranean.

Provenance: The Dere Family Collection, New York, USA, assembled 1970's-2000's; ex-Martin Wunsch Collection, New York, USA, acquired in 1980's

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#147781
Condition Report: Expertly repaired and restored at the shoulders; this is almost impossible to see. A few tiny chips from the peripheries. Great deposits on surface including some iridescence and pearlescence.