NARROW-NECKED ROMAN JUG of Nico F. Bijnsdorp
First half of 1st century AD. Western Roman Empire, probably Cologne.
H= 22.4 cm. D max= 13.8 cm. D rim= 4.5 cm. D base= 7.2 cm. Weight 281 gr.
Classification: Isings 1957: Form 52a.
Condition: Intact. Incrustation on exterior and interior. Iridescence and some pitting.
Technique: Free blown, tooled. Handle applied.
Description: Transparent yellowish amber glass. Large jug. Triangular hollow rim, somewhat irregularly folded out, down, and up. Tall tubular neck __with slight upward taper and constriction at its base. Near spherical body. Open pushed-in base ring __with slightly concave underside and no pontil mark. Angular handle with four wide-set ribs applied to shoulder, drawn upvertically and attached at right angle to neck just below the rim. Excess glass folded back and up against underside of rim, creating a small open loop on top of the handle.
Remarks: Narrow necked jugs are among the earliest luxury Roman glass tableware, imitating pottery jugs. The elegant handles were made with great care and precision. These jugs were commonly made with an open pushed-in base ring, although closed also occurred.
Provenance: The David and Jennifer Giles Collection, London, UK, 2007.
Published: Groen & Rossum 2011, Thermenmuseum Heerlen (NL), p. 58.
Exhibited:Thermenmuseum Heerlen (NL), Romeins Glas uit Particulier Bezit, 29 April – 28 August 2011, No. 063.
References: Stern 2001, Ernesto Wolf Collection, No. 30. Sotheby’s 7 July 1994, The Benzian Collection, No. 153.