ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Large Roman Pilgrim Flask, Birds and Vine, 4th Century AD

Remarkable red ware ampulla decorated on both sides with birds perched on vine branches.

Alluding to Christian symbolism, the birds represent the souls that are rewarded with grapes from the tree of life.

The vessel features a flattened round body, a short neck with profiled mouth and ribbon handles.
Mold made of two halves, the beige clay with remains of a reddish brown coating.

For a comparable example, cf. reg. no. 1882,0109.1 in the British Museum database.

H. 24cm (9.4 in), D. 20 cm (7.9 in)

Reassembled from fragments, minor infill. Rim restored.

Ex German private collection U.D., acquired between 1975 and 2000. Thence German art market, June 2017. Joined by a copy of the German export license.

3800 USD