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Lot 66

A large Roman pale bluish green glass double balsamarium

7 July 2016, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £12,500 inc. premium

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A large Roman pale bluish green glass double balsamarium
Circa 4th-5th Century A.D.
Comprising two conjoined tubes flaring towards the folded rims, each encircled with horizontal trails around the bodies, an elaborate handle above composed of multiple layers of folded and looped rods, 38.7cm high

Footnotes

Provenance:
Property of a gentleman.
Christie's, London, 14 April 2011, lot 186.
Christie's, New York, 12 December 2002, lot 422.
With Kando, Jerusalem, 1982.

Literature:
It is likely that such an elaborate cosmetic vessel was intended for display only, as the complex superstructure makes it difficult to use as a container. For a related example, cf. D.B. Harden, Glass of the Caesars, Milan, 1987, pp.149-150, no. 77.

Additional information

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