Sidonian Molded Glass Bottle - Incredible Iridescence

Roman , Sidonian, Lebanon, ca. 1st century CE. A miniature and very fine mold-blown glass vessel that is covered in fiery iridescence presenting hues of pink, yellow, lavendar, ice blue, aqua, and violet. The attractive form is comprised of an ovoid body, tubular neck, and a single handle joining the flared rim to shoulder. Intricately detailed, the central register presents interlaced spirals; this is framed by double linear borders; finally frets adorn the shoulder and lower section. Sidon was a center of art glass production in ancient times, and this piece exemplifies the fine creations of this region. Size: 2.875" H (7.3 cm); 3.375" H (8.6 cm) on included custom stand.

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 A.D.)."

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Martin Wunsch collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1980s

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#147862
Condition Report: Rim and handle appear to have been restored. Otherwise intacta nd excellent with well-preserved details and marvelous golden and rainbow iridescence.