Roman Glass Double Balsamarium with Crossed Handle and Applied Decoration

Object Description

A stunning, ancient Roman, teal-coloured, translucent glass, double balsamarium with an elaborate applied handle. The vessel features two joined cylindrical bodies with thick folded rims. Each body has a basket handle, formed of a single trail, with an additional handle on top, formed of a separate trail and twisted at the top to form a loop. Applied glass trails decorate the sides of the vessel, starting at the rim, where the handles connect to the body. Trailing on one side is damaged. There is a pontil mark on the base.

Dimensions of the balsamarium without the stand: H 22.2cm x W 7cm

Date: Circa 4th Century AD

Object History

Private London collection; previously acquired from a Belgian collection (1980s-1990s)

Object Condition

Very good condition. The middle part of the trail decoration on one side has broken off. There is a small stable vertical hole where the trailing used to be and a vertical crack that continues around the rim. Earthy encrustations throughout. The vessel is supplied with a custom-made stand.

Object Details