Hellenistic Greek Core-formed Glass Oinochoe

This very large oinochoe is an exceptional example of ancient glass vessels made in the core-formed technique. It has an ovoid shape of the ample body with distinct downward taper and constriction at the base. A broad trefoil rim surmounts the tall cylindrical neck, which is set at an almost straight-angled junction with broad rounded shoulder. The coil handle of the same dark blue color glass has a small yellow glass appliqué set at its base, with a little acorn in relief.

The upper part of the body is decorated with opaque white, yellow, and blue trailing combed into a feather pattern with white and yellow trailing separating it from the lower portion of the body, which is decorated with opaque white, yellow, and blue trailing but worked in a festoon pattern. The yellow trailing encircles the neck. This oinochoe is both extraordinary in terms of its size and quality, and truly does represent a tour-de-force in core-formed glass.

Complete and excellent condition. Mat patina (shoulder, handle), minor chips.

Art market, prior to 1972;

Ex- Swiss private collection, acquired prior to 1972;

Private glass collection, acquired in 1991

HARDEN D., Greek and Roman Glass in the British Museum, vol. I, London, 1981, pp. 115 ff, pl. 18.

GROSE D.F., Early Ancient Glass, Core-formed, Rod-formed, and Cast Vessels and Objects from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Roman Empire, 1600 B.C. to A.D. 50 (The Toledo Museum of Art), New York, 1989, pp. 109 ff., pp. 161 ff., nos. 146-152.