A beautiful Ancient Roman transluscent glass bottle. The vessel features a small, slightly dimpled base. A smooth conical body expands at the top closer to the flat shoulder. The bottle then narrows in and leads to a short cylindrical neck, extending to an out-splayed rim and circular mouth. The glass is translucent with faint green hues visible in areas. Intense multicoloured iridescence is visible on one side. 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 15cm x W 6cm Provenance: Ex London Art Market, acquired 1980s-90s.