50. Roman moss green modiolus with spiral thread decoration, c.50-100 AD
Glass
Height: 13.3cm, diameter 12.7cm
12623
£ 24,000
Further images
A large modiolus free-blown in clear, moss green glass, with flaring lip and spreading ring base, a ring handle attached three-quarters of the way up one side. The body decorated...
A large modiolus free-blown in clear, moss green glass, with flaring lip and spreading ring base, a ring handle attached three-quarters of the way up one side. The body decorated with a thin thread of glass which circles the body some twenty times. Small gaps in the trail, otherwise in a remarkably pristine state.
Examples of this form have been found all over the Roman Empire but the superb quality of this piece suggests that it may come from the West. Though the term modiolus is latin for a grain measure, the varying sizes of such shapes in glass makes it very unlikely that these represent any kind of standard measure. The fragile nature of the material indicates they were used as drinking vessel. The horizontal flange lip of this example might even have allowed for a lid, as suggested by Auth (1976), though none have ever been found with one.
Examples of this form have been found all over the Roman Empire but the superb quality of this piece suggests that it may come from the West. Though the term modiolus is latin for a grain measure, the varying sizes of such shapes in glass makes it very unlikely that these represent any kind of standard measure. The fragile nature of the material indicates they were used as drinking vessel. The horizontal flange lip of this example might even have allowed for a lid, as suggested by Auth (1976), though none have ever been found with one.
Provenance
Private collection, Europe; acquired in the 1980sCharles Ede Ltd, London, UK; acquired from the European art market 8th November 2010
J.B. collection, UK; acquired from the above 21st July 2011
