Roman Glass Janus- Headed Vessel - Bacchus

Roman, Sidonian, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A fine Janus-headed miniature mold-blown glass vessel representing two heads of a boy - perhaps a young Bacchus with bunches of round grapes for hair or possibly a cherubic Cupid with a wavy coiffure - rising to a long cylindrical neck and slightly flared rim - all in gorgeous translucent green glass with marvelous iridescence of golden and fiery blue hues. Scholars believe that this type was a second century invention, and it continued into the third and fourth centuries. A lovely unguent or perfume bottle of a rare double or janiform flask form, quite refined and presenting exquisite detailing. Size: 2.375" H (6 cm)

Sidon was a center of art glass production in ancient times. Here are Pliny's words as he described his voyage to Sidon, "From this point on we must go back to the coast and to Phoenicia. There was formerly a town called Crocodilian, and there still is a river of that name … Then comes Cape Carmel … Next are Getta, Geba, and the river Pacida or Belus … Close to this river is Ptolemais … Next Tyre, once an island separated from the mainland by a very deep sea-channel 700 yards wide, but now joined to it by the works constructed by Alexander when besieging the place … but the entire renown of Tyre now consists in a shell-fish and a purple dye! … Next are Zarephath and the city of birds (Ornithon oppidum), and Sidon, the mother-city of Thebes in Boeotia where glass is made." (Pliny, Natural History V.75-76, 77-79 AD).

Provenance: private California, USA Collection

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#135128
Condition Report: Loss to neck and rim as shown. A pontil scar or mark indicates that at least the base of this vessel was free-blown. Areas of earthen deposits. Wonderful silvery and rainbow iridescence.