Two Ancient Roman Pale Green Glass Candlestick Unguentarium
Roman, Imperial period,, ca. 1–300 CE. Two free-blown pale green glass unguentaria, each on a custom acrylic display stand. The larger is of the candlestick type, with a squat, bulbous body and a long, slightly tapering cylindrical neck ending in a wide rim. The smaller has a compact rounded body, a tall, narrow neck, and a flared mouth. Unguentaria were made to hold perfumed oils, cosmetics, and unguents, and their narrow necks allowed the contents to be dispensed in small amounts. Size of largest: 8.75" H x 2.3" Diam (22.2 cm H x 5.8 cm Diam); On included custom stand: 9.25" H (23.5 cm H); Size of smallest: 5" H x 1.25" Diam (12.7 cm H x 3.2 cm Diam); On included custom stand: 6" H (15.2 cm H).
Glassblowing was invented on the Syro-Palestinian coast in the 1st century BCE. It turned glass from a luxury into an everyday material, and small unguentaria were among the first forms to be mass-produced. The candlestick type, with its low body and tall neck, became common in the Eastern provinces during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE. Over that time the body tended to flatten and the neck to grow longer. Such bottles held scented oils used in bathing, grooming, and the care of the dead, and they turn up often among tomb goods.
Provenance: private Howard & Miriam Landres collection, California, USA acquired between 1960s and 1990s via Israeli and American auction houses and antique shops
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205197
Condition
Loss to the rim of the larger, with mineral encrustations to the exterior, with some active flaking when handled. Smaller is intact with areas of iridescence.
Roman, Imperial period,, ca. 1–300 CE. Two free-blown pale green glass unguentaria, each on a custom acrylic display stand. The larger is of the candlestick type, with a squat, bulbous body and a long, slightly tapering cylindrical neck ending in a wide rim. The smaller has a compact rounded body, a tall, narrow neck, and a flared mouth. Unguentaria were made to hold perfumed oils, cosmetics, and unguents, and their narrow necks allowed the contents to be dispensed in small amounts. Size of largest: 8.75" H x 2.3" Diam (22.2 cm H x 5.8 cm Diam); On included custom stand: 9.25" H (23.5 cm H); Size of smallest: 5" H x 1.25" Diam (12.7 cm H x 3.2 cm Diam); On included custom stand: 6" H (15.2 cm H).
Glassblowing was invented on the Syro-Palestinian coast in the 1st century BCE. It turned glass from a luxury into an everyday material, and small unguentaria were among the first forms to be mass-produced. The candlestick type, with its low body and tall neck, became common in the Eastern provinces during the 1st to 3rd centuries CE. Over that time the body tended to flatten and the neck to grow longer. Such bottles held scented oils used in bathing, grooming, and the care of the dead, and they turn up often among tomb goods.
Provenance: private Howard & Miriam Landres collection, California, USA acquired between 1960s and 1990s via Israeli and American auction houses and antique shops
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #205197
Condition
Loss to the rim of the larger, with mineral encrustations to the exterior, with some active flaking when handled. Smaller is intact with areas of iridescence.
