146 - A VERY RARE ROMAN MANGANESE-PURPLE GLASS SPRINKLER FLASK, 3RD-4TH CENTURY AD

A VERY RARE ROMAN MANGANESE-PURPLE GLASS SPRINKLER FLASK, 3RD-4TH CENTURY AD Finely modeled, the flattened globular body rising through high, rounded shoulders to a slender neck with a slight constriction at the base and a flaring mouth with an inward-folded rim. The body is decorated with two rows of eight small pinched projections. The glass displays beautiful varying shades of aubergine purple with faint iridescence. Provenance: Sotheby’s London, 14 July 1981, lot 445. A private collection in the United Kingdom, acquired from the above, and thence by descent. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, manufacturing irregularities, including minor fissures, slight warping, and the base with a pontil mark, signs of prolonged burial, encrustations, minuscule chips, and light surface scratches. Weight: 91.1 g Dimensions: Height 8.8 cm Literature comparison: Compare a closely related Roman glass sprinkler flask, dated to the 3rd-4th century AD, 10.2 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number CIRC.456-1910. Compare a closely related Roman glass sprinkler flask, dated to the 3rd-4th century AD, 12.2 cm high, in the Getty Museum, object number 2003.335. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s London, 2 April 2014, lot 14 Price: GBP 10,000 or approx. EUR 17,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman streaky aubergine glass sprinkler flask, circa 3rd-4th century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, refined craftmanship, and very similar color of the glass. Note the larger size (13.4 cm).