Roman Sidonian Glass Janus Oinochoe - Bacchus Faces
Roman, Sidonian, Lebanon, ca. 1st century CE. This stunning mold-blown glass piece is an oinochoe, a pouring vessel, comprised of opaque complimentary yellow and blue-green glass. It sits upon a flattened base, rises into a body comprised of two cherubic faces with curly coiffures - perhaps representing the god of wine, Bacchus, with grape bunches for hair - then tapers to a cylindrical neck topped by trefoil shaped spout. A trailing blue handle applied at the shoulder, connects and folds into the rim. Rigaree, matching the handle color, runs below the spout, embellishing the rim. A very impressive piece with many intricate details, radiant colors, and iridescence speckling the surface. Size: 2.5" W x 4.75" H (6.4 cm x 12.1 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.
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 CE)
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.
#157447
Condition Report: Repaired from multiple pieces. Minor losses to handle and rim. Handle reattached. Softening of details, surface wear and weathering film commensurate with age and use. Rainbow and silvery iridescence.
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Roman, Sidonian, Lebanon, ca. 1st century CE. This stunning mold-blown glass piece is an oinochoe, a pouring vessel, comprised of opaque complimentary yellow and blue-green glass. It sits upon a flattened base, rises into a body comprised of two cherubic faces with curly coiffures - perhaps representing the god of wine, Bacchus, with grape bunches for hair - then tapers to a cylindrical neck topped by trefoil shaped spout. A trailing blue handle applied at the shoulder, connects and folds into the rim. Rigaree, matching the handle color, runs below the spout, embellishing the rim. A very impressive piece with many intricate details, radiant colors, and iridescence speckling the surface. Size: 2.5" W x 4.75" H (6.4 cm x 12.1 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.
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 CE)
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.
#157447
Condition Report: Repaired from multiple pieces. Minor losses to handle and rim. Handle reattached. Softening of details, surface wear and weathering film commensurate with age and use. Rainbow and silvery iridescence.
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Time, Location
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