Impressive Sasanian Faceted Glass Cup

Ancient Near East / Central Asia, Sasanian (Sassanian / Sassanid) Empire, ca. 2nd to 7th century CE. A large, translucent blue glass cup with a thick-walled hemispheric body adorned by meticulously spaced circular facets. A large and deeply cut facet on the base provides a stable surface upon which it rests. These facets create a sparkling effect when held to the light. Incredible pearlescent deposits on the interior and exterior show the passage of time on the piece. Sparkling rainbow colors are seen on the surface of the pearlescence. Size: 5.05" W x 3.2" H (12.8 cm x 8.1 cm)

Faceted bowls such as this one are characterized by uniformity of shape, size, and arrangement of the facets in four or five rows. They represent the most widespread type of late Sasanian glass vessel, found in excavations of Mesopotamian and Iranian sites dating from the fifth to seventh century CE. Some examples, probably carried along the Silk Road to the Far East by Persian merchants and traveling embassies, have been found in Japanese contexts, notably in the sixth-century tomb of the emperor Ankan and in the Shoso-in Treasure at Nara, which was assembled by the emperor Shomu in the eighth century.

Provenance: private California, USA collection; ex-private Gluck collection

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#149126
Condition Report: Intact, with an absolutely incredible encrusted pearlescence with rainbow sparkles that covers nearly the entire surface.