Roman Glass Double Unguentarium

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A spectacular double unguentarium, sometimes called a balsamarium, free-blown from translucent green glass to present 2 tubular chambers with a deep basin, a flared rim, a rounded base, and delicate ribbon-like trail handles joining rim to body. The conjoined tubes have a continuous band of rigaree winding around their contours starting at the top of rim and ending at the base. Wealthy women in ancient Roman times would employ these pieces to contain their precious unguents or oils. Another use was as a double kohl vessel containing the 2 colors of eye makeup. Vessels like this have also been found in tombs and were used to contain scented oils or precious cosmetics for the deceased to carry into the next world. Layers of gorgeous silver and rainbow iridescence further adorn the body of this elegant vessel! Size: 2.8" W x 4.6" H (7.1 cm x 11.7 cm); 5.9" H (15 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#157229
Condition Report: Nick to rim and light surface wear in some areas. Otherwise, intact and excellent with lovely earthen film on interior and sparkling iridescence. Pontil mark on underside of base. A pontil scar or mark indicates that a vessel was free-blown, while the absence of such a mark suggests that the work was either mold-blown or that the mark was intentionally smoothed away or wore away over time.