Topic: possibly ancient Roman glass vase - how can one tell?

[hokeypix]

I've attached a couple of photos of what seems to be in the style of an ancient Roman glass vase, with an applied spiral and three little decorative clusters. It's iridescent and quite dirty, but I assume it's supposed to look that way and should not be cleaned.

I did some online research (ebay completed auctions, google, other auctions, etc.) and it seems there are authentic ones, and reproduction ones. But even the repros seem to do quite nicely (around $100.).

How does one tell the difference? I've attached two photos, and can attach more if needed. There is a pontil mark on the bottom. The vase measures approx. six inches tall. Many thanks in advance.

[glassobsessed]

How does one tell the difference?

Experience mostly I guess but the chances are anything you do pick up will be a modern reproduction (just sheer weight of numbers). Many museums sell replicas in their shops. I have only ever seen one bit of Roman glass for sale (locally at an auction) it was a Janus flask and as far as I could tell appeared genuine. It sold well.

The vase in your photos looks like a repro (if it was mine I would wash it carefully whether repro or not). It is also worth remembering some reproductions could be over a hundred years old. Your vase has probably been been given a finish (with acid) to make it look old but glass that has been buried in the ground for long periods and then dug up tends to have a different appearance. The salts in the earth usually give the glass an iridescent finish (which I don't really see in your photos).

Nice vase you have there, I have a few repros, one is from Murano circa 1900 and a couple of bits from the 'Roman Glassmakers', well worth a look if you have not run into their site yet: http://www.romanglassmakers.co.uk/index.htm

John

[hokeypix]

Thank you, John. I'll check out the link. I'll probably list it on ebay, and if two bidders happen to recognize something in it, great! And if not, it seems like even the repros go for around $100. I can't quite tell if the applied spiral (threading?) is broken off at the end or just....ends. Any thoughts?

[hokeypix]

I should add, it does indeed have an iridescence to it.

[glassobsessed]

Look really closely at the end, perhaps you will see fracture marks if broken off or an imprint on the vessel where it once was.

Those berry prunts are quite reminiscent of glass from Salviati but doubt very much they are exclusive.

[kimo]

John has given you good advice.  I agree that from the photo it appears to be a reproduction and that you really do need to examine as many real ones as you can to start to get a feel for it.  Yours looks too clean and new even though it seems to have been dipped in acid and salts to give it a patina.

Because of the countless fakes out there today of Roman glass, especially any piece that is whole and not just shards, you really need to know and trust the seller and get the provenance with it.  Even then there is still a risk unless the provenance is absolute.

I think you might be a bit ambitious in your expectation of price especially if you are up front and say that you believe this is a reproduction, but give it a try and if it does not sell for that amount bring the starting bid way down and try again.

[hokeypix]

Thanks all. I will expect people will assume it's a repro and bid as such. There's a good chance it is. But I was surprised to see even repros (stated as such) sell quite well!