Late Roman/Early Byzantine Lot of four late antique miniature glasses. - 57 mm

Convolute of four late antique miniature glass vessels, 3rd–8th centuries CE. Interesting lot of four late antique glass miniature vessels from the eastern Mediterranean. The group includes two small flasks as well as two spherical miniature vessels of different shapes and coloration. The pieces show different glass colors and surface appearances, from yellowish-transparent to dark-appearing glass. Particularly attractive are the partial weathering layers with gold and rainbow iridescence, which formed during the long storage in the ground. The individual objects: 1. Rectangular flask, 57 × 24 × 24 mm. Tightly pressed, almost square body with a clearly set-off, cylindrical neck. The strong weathering layer gives the surface an unusually stone-like appearance. 2. Rectangular flask, 57 × 22 × 22 mm. Slender, slightly rounded vessel body with a long neck; yellowish to olive-colored, translucent glass. Simple and balanced form. 3. Globular miniature vessel, 27 × 28 × 28 mm. Yellowish-transparent glass with a incised or engraved circular decoration. The surface preserves striking areas with gold to multicolored iridescence. 4. Small globular miniature vessel, 13 × 16 × 16 mm. Also from yellowish-transparent glass with incised or engraved circular decoration. Such small glass vessels could have held small quantities of precious substances such as cosmetics, salves, perfumes, or medicinal preparations. The four different shapes together convey an appealing impression of the diversity of late antique small-format glass production. Culture / Origin: Late Antique, eastern Mediterranean Dating: 3rd–8th centuries CE Material: Glass Number: 4 vessels Condition: All four vessels intact with beautiful gold iridescence Provenance: Acquired 2026 in the German art trade, previously in private collection H. L., Rhineland; acquired 1994 from Gerhard Hirsch, Munich The invoice from 2026 and a copy of the Hirsch catalog from 1994 are available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.

Estimate:$840.33

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