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Glass Double Balsamarium
Circa 4th Century AD
Description: A glass double balsamarium with two separate tubular compartments. The body was formed by pinching one blown glass bubble at the center, and then folding it together. The elaborate arched handle features two decorative elements at the sides, curved inward just below the rim and then folded over above the rim. A heavy glass trail, grooved down the middle, forms the arched handle. Substantial layer of attractive iridescence with shades of green, yellow, purple, red, blue and white covers the pale blue glass. These vessels are presumed to have contained cosmetics and were most likely suspended at their side loops or handles in antiquity. Custom Perspex display stand. Important provenance.
Height: 6.1 in. (15.5 cm)
Condition: Intact and complete. An area with a rough depression in the glass at the back side of the tube.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Given to the Museum in 1907 by Mrs. W. Scott Fitz. A museum number in red on the base: 07.113.
Reference: See Ancient Glass in the Hermitage Collection (St. Petersburg 1997) by Nina Kunina, no. 413 (color plate no. 199) for a cosmetic flask with this type of handle.
Price: $ 1,500
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