Ancient Roman square Glass Bottle, large

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Large and impressive Roman square glass bottle in semi-translucent light blue with greenish tinge. The semi-translucent strap handle has four ribs and shows a beautiful distribution of light. The bottle was made in a mould, the handle has been put on from the shoulders with a post of glass separately, fed up and placed against the neck and lower part of the edge. A superb example of Roman glass art.

-> Roman glass vessels were widely produced from the 1st century AD onward, especially after the development and spread of glassblowing. Square-bodied bottles were practical storage vessels and were commonly used throughout the Roman Empire.

-> The pale blue-green colour is typical of much Roman utilitarian glass, caused by natural impurities in the glass mixture. The applied handle and rounded shoulders give this vessel both a functional and elegant appearance, reflecting the skill of Roman glassworkers.

Height: ± 17,5 cm

Condition: good condition with very appealing iridescence. This type usually has a flat rim which is no longer present, unclear if this is an adaptation from the time to make pouring more easy or if it is removed in a later time. Apart from the mentioned flat rim, the bottle is fully intact without cracks and only a small internal hairline along the neck. See images.

Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).

-> Glass has existed in natural forms since prehistoric times; however, humans first began producing glass around 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, when craftsmen discovered how to combine sand, soda and lime.

For centuries, glass remained a luxury material reserved for the upper classes. Across the Mediterranean world, glassmakers developed techniques such as casting, core-forming and mosaic glass, while experimenting with colours using metallic oxides including cobalt and copper.

The Romans adopted glassmaking following the conquest of Egypt in the 1st century BC. During the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing revolutionised production, allowing for larger-scale manufacturing. By adding manganese dioxide, Roman glassmakers were able to produce colourless or ‘aqua’ glass.

Roman glass became highly popular and was widely used for beads, vessels, mosaic tiles and window panes. It was traded throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, reaching regions such as Central Africa, Scandinavia and, via the Silk Road, as far as China.