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Late Roman Imperial Period to Early Byzantine, ca. 4th century CE. A conical, semi-translucent glass vessel with a rounded bottom and a thick, flat rim, almost colorless with tinges of beautiful sage green hues with liberal areas of purple, rainbow, and silvery iridescence, the exterior wall surfaces adorned by four equidistantly placed bands of fine wheel cut lines around the body. Archaeologists have discovered such forms in ancient tombs. Some historians believe that they were used as lamps for the deceased to carry with them to the next world. A quote from the Roman Christian poet Prudentius (348-413 CE) poetically describes such lamps in actual use (see extended description below) . Beautiful rainbow and purple iridescence with weathering film that is the result of thousands of years of graceful aging. Size: 4.75″ in diameter x 7.875″ H (12.1 cm x 20 cm); 8.625″ H (21.9 cm) on included custom stand.
The following eloquent quote from Prudentius captures the magical quality of a lamp like this example, “As for us, we pass the long night with pious gladness in festal congregations, in sleepless prayer we earnestly heap up petitions that will be granted, and on the altar raised up make offerings to God. The lamps gleam out, that hang by swaying cords from every panel of the roof, and the flame, fed by the oil on which it floats lazily, casts its light through clear glass. One would think the starry space stood over us, decked with the twin Bears, and that bright evening stars were everywhere scattered, where the Wain directs its team of oxen. How worthy a thing, O God, for Thy flock to offer Thee at dewy night’s beginning – light, Thy most precious gift, light, by which we perceive all Thy other blessings.” (Prudentius, Cathemarina V. 137-152 – from Fortuna Fine Arts, Ltd. Catalogue entitled “Solid Liquid: Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic Glass” (New York: 1999), p. 110. Also see similar examples of conical lamps in this publication – figures 199 and 200, pages 110-111).
This piece was published in the “Solid Liquid” catalogue (Fortuna Fine Arts, 1999) – figure 199, page 110. The description states that this type of vessel was used in the late Roman to early Byzantine periods, and was “designed to be filled with oil and placed into large metal fixtures. These fixtures contained multiple lamps and provided illumination in the same way that a candelabrum does today. A fine example of this class of glass lamps, this piece has a conical shape with a ground rim and groups of finely abraded bands over its entire length. Areas of encrustation and iridescent highlights.”
The author also points to the following for similar pieces – Whitehouse, Corning, no. 427, p. 250. Also cf. Essen, no. 118, p. 41; ROM, no. 477, p. 121; Yale, no. 263, p. 98.
Condition: Expected surface wear with weathering film and stunning rainbow, purple, and silvery iridescence. Generally excellent.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; published in “Solid Liquid” catalogue (Fortuna Fine Arts, 1999) – figure 199, page 110.
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