Ca.100 AD. A stunning Roman hand-blown glass vessel of very rare colouring - aubergine, named for the dark purple colour of an eggplant's skin, but also conjuring the rich violet hues of grapes and wine, favorite delicacies of the ancients associated with Bacchus (Dionysos) - god of wine, pleasure, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theatre! The vessel boasts an elegant attenuated form with a diminutive neck that dramatically flares to a funnel mouth. The body rests on a dimpled bottom with the remains of a pontil. Adding another aspect to the beauty of this piece, the surface is graced by areas of rainbow and pearlescent iridescence. Good Condition, repaired from original parts; H:165mm/D:93mm ( 6.49in, 3.66in); 197gr; Provenance: Property of a London gallery, previously in old British collection formed in the 1980s.All Items sold by Pax Romana Auctions come with professional Certificate of Authenticity.