Ancient Roman and Near Eastern Archaeological Study Collection | Glass, Pottery & Stone Artifacts | Framed | Circa 1000 BCE – 400 CE

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Eastern Mediterranean and Ancient Near East, including Roman and likely Cypriot material
Material: Blown and cast glass, terra sigillata pottery, terracotta, and worked stone, mounted within a wooden shadow-box frame
Period: First Millennium BCE through the Roman Period, circa 1000 BCE–400 CE

Description

This professionally mounted archaeological study collection brings together thirteen ancient glass, pottery, terracotta, and worked-stone artifacts and fragments associated with the Eastern Mediterranean and Ancient Near East.

The objects are arranged against a black textile background within a deep wooden shadow-box frame, allowing the contrasting colours, surfaces, materials, and manufacturing techniques of the individual pieces to be viewed together.

The mounted group includes four Roman yellow-green glass vessel bases, three of which display pronounced concentric rings. Each preserves varying degrees of iridescence, weathering, burial deposits, and surface encrustation produced through long-term archaeological exposure.

Positioned near the centre is a blue-green Roman glass jar or vessel lid with a raised knob finial. The lid retains an attractive blue-green surface with extensive iridescence and mineral deposits. Its compact, functional form reflects the wide variety of glass storage, cosmetic, and domestic containers used throughout the Roman world.

Two red-slipped terra sigillata vessel-base fragments appear in the lower portion of the display. One retains an elongated maker’s stamp within a foot-shaped cartouche, while the second bears a scratched inscription or ownership graffito across its underside.

Terra sigillata was a high-quality red-slipped tableware produced and distributed extensively throughout the Roman Empire. Surviving stamps and inscriptions can provide valuable evidence concerning ancient workshops, ownership, commerce, distribution, and everyday use.

Additional terracotta elements include a curved orangeware fragment likely corresponding to an oil-lamp thumb rest, a small orangeware vessel fragment, a perforated pottery or pipe-bowl fragment, and a small figural or votive fragment with a rounded upper portion.

These pieces preserve evidence of the broad range of utilitarian, ceremonial, and personal objects manufactured throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.

A worked grey stone implement or heavily shaped lithic fragment completes the group. Its flaked surfaces and tapered profile suggest deliberate working, although its precise cultural attribution and original function cannot be confidently established while mounted within the display.

Features

- Framed archaeological study collection containing thirteen ancient artifacts and fragments

- Four Roman yellow-green glass vessel bases

- Three glass bases with concentric-ring decoration

- Roman blue-green glass vessel lid with raised knob finial

- Two Roman terra sigillata vessel-base fragments

- One terra sigillata base with a maker’s stamp in a foot-shaped cartouche

- One terra sigillata base with an incised ancient name or ownership graffito

- Orangeware pottery oil-lamp or vessel fragment

- Perforated terracotta or pottery fragment

- Small terracotta figural or votive fragment

- Worked grey stone implement or lithic fragment

- Mounted against black fabric within a deep wooden shadow-box frame

Cultural Significance

Study collections of this type demonstrate the remarkable variety of materials and objects encountered across the ancient Eastern Mediterranean and Near East. Glass vessel bases and lids illustrate Roman advancements in glass manufacture and the widespread use of glass containers for cosmetics, medicines, oils, foodstuffs, and domestic storage.

The terra sigillata fragments are particularly informative. Maker’s stamps were applied by workshops as identifiers and can sometimes assist with the study of manufacturing centres, individual potters, distribution routes, and trade networks.

Scratched names and inscriptions were generally added after firing and may represent ownership marks, workshop notations, dedications, accounting marks, or later reuse.

The smaller pottery, figural, and worked-stone fragments represent more personal and utilitarian aspects of ancient life. Although individually fragmentary, their inclusion within a single comparative display allows differences in material, craftsmanship, surface treatment, function, and preservation to be clearly appreciated.

Condition

The collection contains archaeological artifacts and fragments in varying states of preservation. Expected age-related weathering, mineral deposits, soil encrustation, iridescence, oxidation, scratches, abrasions, chips, fractures, losses, and surface erosion are present throughout.

The Roman glass pieces retain substantial portions of their circular forms, although some display central losses, cracking, pitting, and areas of heavy encrustation.

Both terra sigillata bases are fragmentary, with losses surrounding their surviving foot rings. The maker’s stamp and incised graffito remain visible.

The smaller terracotta and stone pieces display chips, incomplete edges, surface wear, and burial deposits consistent with their age and archaeological character.

The artifacts are securely mounted and have not been removed from the frame for individual inspection. The condition of concealed surfaces and mounting points is therefore unknown.

The wooden shadow-box frame exhibits minor wear consistent with display and handling.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Framed Width: 13.25 in
Framed Height: 17.25 in
Depth: 2.5 in

Age (Approximate)

The artifacts range from approximately 1,600 to 3,000 years old.

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, a noted New York numismatist and collector associated particularly with Armenian coinage and ancient material. Guevrekian assembled an extensive collection over several decades, and a major portion of his holdings was publicly offered as The Jack Guevrekian Collection by the Numismatic & Antiquarian Service Corporation of America in New York in 1977.

Subsequently held in a private New York City collection.

Learn More

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