A Roman unguentarium in very pale green glass. The flask has a slightly lop-sided flattened rim, a tall neck, a bell-shaped body, and stands on a flat base which is indented towards the centre. The glass and crust exhibit attractive iridescent patches.
Roman eastern Mediterranean: Circa 3rd century AD.
Complete and intact, with light crusty accretions.
Height 16.5 cms (6.5 ins).
For similar examples see items 99-105; Ancient Glass in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
At the height of its popularity in Rome, glass was present in nearly every aspect of daily life. It was a particularly favoured container for precious, valuable liquids, such as expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines which were produced from all corners of the Roman Empire.