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Catalogue

375. Inkwell

Accession Number 2003.453
Dimensions H. 3.5, Diam. rim 1.5, max. Diam. 5.0, Diam. base 3.6, Th. 0.1 cm; Wt. 32.00 g
Date First–second centuries CE
Production Area Roman Empire
Material Translucent yellow-green glass
Modeling Technique and Decoration Free-blown
View in Collection

Condition

Intact. Some incrustation on the inside.

Description

Vessel made of translucent yellow-green glass. The small, circular opening of the inkwell is at the center of a wide horizontal rim. A fold of the glass forms a ridge at the transition to the cylindrical body, which tapers to the base; the bottom is flat and slightly concave. A thick coil handle starts on the body, forms a small ring, and ends on the ridge. The excess of the coil has been stretched and bent on the handle, forming an almost decorative ridge along its central part. A very fine annular pontil scar (W. 2.1, Th. 0.1 cm) is visible at the center of the bottom.

Comments and Comparanda

On inkwells in general, see comments on cat. 372. For comparanda, see cat. 374.

Provenance

By 1974–1988, Erwin Oppenländer, 1901–1988 (Waiblingen, Germany), by inheritance to his son, Gert Oppenländer, 1988; 1988–2003, Gert Oppenländer (Waiblingen, Germany), sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 2003

Bibliography

, p. 250, no. 725.

Exhibitions

Gläser der Antike: Sammlung Erwin Oppenländer (Hamburg and Cologne, 1974–1975)