Roman flask in the form of a bust of a Nubian

Roman flask in the form of a bust of a Nubian
ITEM: Flask in the form of a bust of a Nubian
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Roman, Egypt
PERIOD: 2nd - 1st Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 105 mm x 58 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Austrian private collection, acquired before 1990s
PARALLEL: BRITISH MUSEUM Collection, Accession number 1990,0601.1. BRITISH MUSEUM Collection, Accession number 1869,0527.1

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

These flasks were typically small, functional vessels designed to hold liquids such as perfume, oil, or wine, but their elaborate shapes transformed them into striking works of art. Commonly made from terracotta or glass, these flasks often featured the human head or bust of a deity, emperor, or mythological figure as the central motif. The anthropomorphic designs not only enhanced the visual appeal of the flasks but also imbued them with symbolic meanings, often invoking divine protection, status, or personal identity.

The flasks in the form of heads or busts often depicted gods and goddesses from the Roman pantheon, such as Bacchus, the god of wine, or Diana, the goddess of the hunt. These vessels would have been used by elite Romans in social and religious contexts, with the busts symbolizing the divine or protective power associated with these figures. In some cases, the flasks were modeled after famous emperors or historical figures, emphasizing the connection between the owner and imperial power or authority. Such flasks might have been used in personal rituals, at banquets, or even as part of funerary practices, where their association with important figures or deities would serve to protect or honor the deceased.

Measurement:

5.8 x 10.5 cm