A Fine and Rare intact Wheel-Cut Glass Bottle, Persia or Egypt, 9th-10th Century

of green glass, with globular body and tall slightly swollen neck decorated with foliate motifs and linear designs wheel-cut on the surface, with spiral cuts on the body, the base with ancient drill hole, number '380' in red enamel to the base

ex-Ray Winfield Smith Collection (no. 380)

In generally good condition, accretions and some iridescence associated with internment, small chips to extremities, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The specialised and laborious technique of wheel-cutting was a legacy of Sassanian glassware. Typically the walls of the vessel are thick to withstand the pressure of the drill, and this piece is no exception. The incisions are broad and shallow indicating that the tool used to perform the cutting was wide-tipped and probably of stone or metal rather than diamond. Amongst the published material the group closest to the present example in terms of style and technique is that classified by Carboni as "perhaps Egyptian region, 9th-10th century" (see Carboni 2001, pp.120-121).