Amphoriscus. Hellenistic period, 3rd century BC.

Amphoriscus. Hellenistic period, 3rd century BC.
Vitreous paste.
Intact.
Measurements: 8 x 4.7 x 3.4 cm.

Small Hellenistic amphoriscus made in vitreous paste of intense cobalt blue, decorated with threads applied in spiral of white and ochre tones, forming wavy and zigzagging motifs characteristic of the technique of molded and rolled glass (trail decoration). Ovoid body, short neck, flat rim and two vertical handles, stands on a small solid ring foot.
These glass miniatures, used to contain perfumes or oils, were common in domestic and funerary contexts, and reflect the high degree of sophistication reached by glassmaking in the Hellenistic world. Their small size and vivid colors made them prized objects both for their functionality and their aesthetic value.

This piece comes from the collection of Georges Savès (1908-1985), a French numismatist and collector with a deep vocation for archaeological study. Heir to a family tradition of collecting, he devoted himself fully to historical and numismatic research since the 1950s, especially on Toulouse and Gallic coins. Throughout his life, he assembled an eclectic collection of archaeological, ethnographic and artistic pieces, enriched in 1966 with the acquisition of part of the Roger Bédiat collection. Author of specialized studies, his legacy remains a reference in the academic and patrimonial fields.