Object Description
A Roman translucent purple coloured glass amphoriskos, with applied handles in pale green glass. Featuring a large, conical body with a flaring foot. Pinched in at the shoulders, the flask features a cylindrical neck with a folded rim. The two handles have been applied from the neck to the shoulders. Large areas of attractive iridescence cover the entire piece.
Amphoriskoi were delicate flasks used primarily to store oil and expensive perfume. They were small in size, made to fit comfortably in one’s hand and delicate in nature. They differed slightly in their style to unguentaria which had a more practical purpose, rather than decorative.
Date: Circa 1st – 3rd century AD
Provenance: Private Israel collection, SM. Israeli export license for the glass collection.