Ancient Roman Glass Unguentarium, Perfume bottle

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Roman glass unguentarium of elongated form. The bottle has a conical body with a narrow cylindrical neck that rises to a gently everted rim. The base of the bottle is flat and slightly everted in the centre.
The surface displays soft iridescence with a coating of earthy accretions, typical of ancient glass.

-> Vessels of this type were used to hold perfumes, oils, or cosmetic liquids, their slender necks designed to control the flow of valuable contents.

Height: ±115.4 mm
Condition: intact and good solid condition. Signs of wear consistent with age and use.

Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request.

-> 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.