An Ancient Roman free blown jar in pale green glass, iridescent with globular body standing on a flattened, base, indented in the centre.
 
Roman Eastern Empire: Circa 3rd-4th century AD.
 
Complete and intact with areas of pretty iridescence, a light crust over parts of the body.
Height: 7.1 cms (2.8 ins).
 
For similar see item 296; Ancient Glass in the National Museums Scotland; C. S. Lightfoot.
 
Provenance: Purchased from UK collection of P.C. 1990-2010
 
Such flasks are frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries. Its most common use was probably as a container for the cosmetic oils and unguents, which were gathered from all corners of the extensive Roman Empire.
 
See our blog post: Roman glass - eastern invention meets empire