Created around AD 50, in the Roman province of Syria. Acquired before 1930 by Nellie Parney Carter, Massachusetts;[1] Donated in 1930 to Museum of Fine Arts Boston;[2] Deaccessioned on June 27, 2002; Purchased at auction in 2002, New York;[3] Purchased in 2002 by a Private Collection; Purchased at auction in 2012 by ArtAncient, New York;[4] Purchased in 2017 by Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.
Notes: [1] The Carter family were a wealthy family living in Boston around the turn of the 20th century. Nellie Carter made donations to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts on behalf of her sister in 1912, so it’s possible this date flask was collected by the family as early as 1912. It’s still unclear how the Carter family built their collection. [2] The artifact was donated to the museum in 1930 as seen in the accession number—30.212—on the inside rim of the flask. Based on standard accession numbering practices, this flask was the 212th artifact accessioned in 1930. [3] Sotheby’s, New York, December 11, 2002, lot 129, sale no. N07858. [4] Christie’s, December 5, 2012 lot 220, sale no. 2605.