CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

The "splash" technique was achieved by attaching colored chips to the vessel, then reheating and marvering the surface. The vessel was then further inflated (for further, see Whitehouse, 1997, p. 207). It has been suggested that such "splashed" vessels may have been intended to imitate the highly sought-after mosaic glass of the 1st Century B.C. (see Harden, 1987, p. 101). This technique was short-lived - according to Whitehouse, "a cautious interpretation of the available evidence suggests a starting date in the early first century, a peak of production around 50, and a terminal date around 70" (op. cit.). In addition to this limited period of production, very few of the known "splashed" vessels are aryballoi: another aubergine example, formerly in the Demeulenaere collection, is now in the Nico Bijnsdorp collection, and a third was sold at Christie's New York in June 2004. For further examples see Clemenz & Steinemann, 1981, nos 235-6; no. 235 was once Benzian collection (Benzian Collection of Ancient and Islamic Glass; Sotheby's, London, 7 July 1994, lot 134). The present lot is an extremely rare and incredibly exciting snapshot of the creativity and flair of the Julio-Claudian master glassmaker.