144 - A RARE ROMAN AMBER GLASS INDENTED FLASK, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, CIRCA 1ST-4TH CENTURY

A RARE ROMAN AMBER GLASS INDENTED FLASK, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, CIRCA 1ST-4TH CENTURY Roman Empire. Free-blown in translucent amber-brown glass, the elegant vessel with a tall, waisted neck flaring toward a broad funnel-shaped mouth with rounded rim. The tapering, pear-shaped body swells toward the lower section and terminates in a slightly concave base. The lower margin is rhythmically modeled with seven evenly spaced indentations and decorated above with two groups of three encircling wheel-cut lines. Provenance: With Gerhard Herinek, Vienna, Austria. The private collection of Dr. Peter Rudeck, Vienna, Austria, acquired from the above in 1989, and thence by descent. A copy of an expertise, written and signed by Gerhard Herinek, dated 16 June 1989, confirming the dating above and recording Asia Minor as the findspot, accompanies this lot. Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Expected wear, corrosion and weathering, areas of ancient deposits and encrustations to the exterior and interior. A barely visible, stable stress crack to the rim. Weight: 74 g Dimensions: Height 17.3 cm Literature comparison: Compare a Roman glass indented flask with six elongated depressions, dated to the 2 nd-3 rd century AD, 8.7 cm high, in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession no. 74.51.214. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 3 June 1999, lot 198 Price: USD 1,610 or approx. EUR 2,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman light green glass indented beaker, circa 3 rd-4 th century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related dating, free-blown technique, proportions, and indented sides. Note the slightly smaller size (15.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s London, 20 April 2005, lot 163 Price: GBP 7,800 or approx. EUR 14,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman dark blue glass indented beaker, 2 nd century AD Expert remark: Compare the related tall proportions and deeply indented body. Note the different color, earlier dating, and slightly smaller size (15 cm).