A beautiful Ancient Roman green glass bottle, formed in a shape resembling an amphora. The vessel features a small, slightly dimpled base. A smooth conical body, with slightly concave sides, flares out to domed shoulders. The bottle then narrows in and leads to a short cylindrical neck, extending to an out-splayed rim and small circular mouth. The vessel displays a translucent olive-green colour with a slight iridescence. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as weathering and pitting. Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user to carefully pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire. The iridescence on ancient Roman glass was unintentional, and was caused by weathering on its surface. The extent to which a glass object weathers depends mainly on the burial conditions; however, the humidity, heat, and type of soil in which the glass was buried also all affect its preservation. Measurements: (circa) H 16.4cm x W 5.9cm Provenance: Ex London Art Market, acquired 1980s-90s.