Glass Flask with Relief Decoration

Culture: Roman/Palestine

Period: Mid 1st century A.D.

Material: Glass

Dimensions: 9 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 3378

Provenance: Private collection S. Berlin, acquired in the 1970s.

Condition: Intact

Description: Mold-blown flask blown of light blue, opaque glass. The ovoid body with six rectangular panels with high reliefs. Depicted are two pomegranates, two grapes and two cedar apples. Above on the shoulder encircling floral decoration, possibly wine leaves. Around the flat base encircling rib decoration. With a tall cylindrical neck and an outsplayed mouth, the rim folded in. Relief flasks such as the present one originate from Palestine. See for reference a very similar flask with the same motive at Christie’s New York on 5 December 2012, lot 222. For another similar example see: E. M. Stern, “Roman Mold-blown Glass, The First Through Sixth Centuries“, number 36, pages 130-131.