Friday - October 23, 2009

2,000 year-old Roman vase identified …. TAKE A LOOK!

This is exciting stuff.  Wish I’d had what it takes, whatever that is, to have become an archeologist when I was young. Just seems so fascinating discovering things like this. Bet I’d have been bored though. I mean, it probably takes days and years of exacting detail to finally come up with results.  I tend to want results before Christmas or my birthday, which ever comes first.  By weeks end is good too.

Here, take a look.

An incredibly rare, 2,000 year-old Roman glass vase that is “academically and artistically priceless” has been identified.
Published: 7:00AM BST 23 Oct 2009

The vase is one of only 16 known in the world and was brought to the attention of the world by experts from Bonhams Auction house.
Possibly the most important of its kind on the planet, the 33.5 inch high vase would have been made for only the well-heeled Romans in about the first century.

It is similar to the incomplete and damaged Portland Vase held in the British museum, but is bigger and far more decorative.
A battle scene showing 30 white figures adorns the spectacular vessel that is likely to re-write the history of these pieces.

It is owned by a collector “from the continent” who took it to Bonhams in London to be identified.
Though the owner was said to be aware that it was of high quality, he had no idea just how significant it was.
At present, there are no plans for it to be auctioned and scholars could be studying it for decades to come.

Made by the Roman Empire’s finest craftsmen, the vase was formed by two pieces of glass, one cobalt blue and the other white.
After cooling it was cut down to create the cameo-style decoration.
All known examples were made within the space of about two generations, experts believe.

Chantelle Rountree, head of antiquities at Bonhams, said: “It is of major international importance. Academically and artistically it is priceless.
“Scholars will be evaluating this find for decades.”
Richard Falkiner, one of the experts who has examined it, said: “As far as I can see, the repairs make it look as though it has been out of the ground since at least the 18th century, possibly 16th.”

Experts from the auction house are continuing to study it. They have not put a monetary value of the vase, but said ultimately it might go on display.
The Portland Vase in the British Museum served as an inspiration to many glass and porcelain makers from about the beginning of the 18th century onwards.
Wedgwood’s work was clearly influenced by the vase that has now been usurped as the finest example of its kind.

The Portland vase stands just nine inches high, is missing its base and has been restored three times
It is supposed to have been discovered by Fabrizio Lazzaro in the sepulchre of the Emperor Alexander Severus, at Monte del Grano near Rome, and excavated in about 1582.

SOURCE

Posted by peiper     on 10/23/2009 at 10:27 AM   
Filed Under: • History •  
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