ROMAN TRANSLUCENT GLASS BALSAMARIUM

Ca. AD 200 - 400 A Roman glass balsamarium, with two sinuous trail handles on each side. The vessel is made from translucent pale green glass, and is mostly covered with incredible silvery and rainbow iridescence. The body has a continuous band of rigaree - running all the way from rim to base. Wealthy women in ancient Roman times would use these pieces to contain their precious unguents or oils, or for holding different colours of kohl eye makeup. For a similar see: Christie's, Live auction 2719, Antiquries, lot. 517.
Size: 80mm x 45mm; Weight: 19g
Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex. Thierry De Maigret, 17 April 2010, Lot 17.

Estimate: GBP 450 - 900