Lot 479
**Originally Listed At $250**
Roman, Eastern Mediterranean, late Imperial period, ca. 4th to 5th century CE. A diminutive Roman glass olpe, rod-formed, tooled, and trailed, its scale so compact that it may once have been worn as a pendant or carried as a personal charm. Measuring 1.2 inches wide by 1.6 inches high (3 cm x 4.1 cm), the vessel features a rounded body rising to a narrow neck with a flared mouth, all crafted in glossy black glass. The body is encircled by a ribbon of white trailed glass applied in a looping, rhythmic pattern. This contrasting band stands out vividly against the dark surface, creating a lively interplay of line and form that enriches the vessel's small silhouette. A single handle, pulled and attached by hand, extends from the shoulder to the rim, its slight irregularities revealing the glassworker's quick, practiced movements while the material remained hot and pliable. Size: 1.2" W x 1.6" H (3 cm x 4.1 cm)
Miniature vessels of this type appear in both domestic and funerary contexts, sometimes serving as symbolic offerings or personal ornaments. The presence of a sturdy handle and the vessel's unusually small scale suggest that this example may have been intended for suspension, perhaps worn as an amulet or kept as a protective token.
Despite its modest size, the piece reflects the technical versatility of late Roman glassworkers, who continued to shape, trail, and tool glass with skill even as production shifted increasingly toward utilitarian wares. Its survival in such complete condition highlights the enduring appeal of miniature objects in the late antique world.
Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 17.194.437.
Provenance: private Dallas, Texas, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA; ex-East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
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#199058
- Condition: Professionally repaired from several small pieces, with petite chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor pitting to foot, body, and handle, with light encrustations. Nice remains of original glass color throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |