Roman Bronze Bottle with Circular Design. 3rd-4th century A.D. Spherical in profile with flat base, large raised concentric circles in two bands with smaller similar motifs between; separate balustered neck. Cf. Comstock, M. & Vermeule, C., Greek, Etruscan and Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, 1971, p. 345, no. 484; Richter, G.M.A., Greek, Etruscan and Roman Bronzes, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1915, pp.196-197, no. 517. 310 grams total, 40-66 mm (1 5/8 - 2 5/8 in.). [2] (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)

Acquired in London in 2002. European private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12686-234678. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This is a rare type of Roman vessel, dated to the late Imperial period, between the late 3rd and 4th century A.D. The closest known parallel is a near-identical example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, which retains its original chain attachment and suspension holes at the shoulder. Such vessels were likely sealed with a perishable stopper and intended for storing or transporting perfumes or cosmetic oils.

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