A Roman unguentarium flask in translucent, pale turquoise glass. The flask has a funneled rim, and a pear-shaped body standing on a flattened base.
 
Eastern Mediterranean: Circa 2nd-4th century AD.
 
Very Fine condition with good glass: complete and intact with silvery iridescence in places, and light deposits. A nice example.
Height 9.2 cms (3.6 ins).
 
For similar use of indents, see item 409 Ancient Glass in the National Museums Scotland C. S. Lightfoot.
 
Glass artifacts were produced in large numbers in the later Roman Empire. Glass was used to produce items of everyday use, for keeping expensive unguents and cosmetic oils which would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.
 
See our blog post on Roman glass