Ancient Roman Blue-Green Glass Unguentarium | Perfume & Oil Flask | Circa 1st–3rd Century CE
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- $600.00
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Ancient Roman Blue-Green Glass Unguentarium | Perfume & Oil Flask | Circa 1st–3rd Century CE
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean
Material: Ancient free-blown blue-green glass with natural surface weathering and mineral encrustations
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE
Description
An elegant ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring distinctive blue-green coloration, a gracefully elongated teardrop-shaped body, cylindrical neck, and prominently flared circular rim. This finely proportioned vessel represents a characteristic form of Roman glassware traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, aromatic preparations, and cosmetics.
The vessel exhibits a broad, rounded lower chamber that gradually narrows toward a slightly constricted shoulder before extending into a short, cylindrical neck. Its mouth terminates in a pronounced, outward-flaring rim with a thickened, rounded edge, creating an attractive architectural contrast with the gently tapering body.
Particularly noteworthy is the glass's rich coloration, displaying translucent aqua, sea-green, and turquoise-blue tones that become increasingly pronounced toward the rounded base. The surface exhibits extensive weathering, scattered earthy mineral deposits, areas of cloudiness, and subtle blue-violet iridescent highlights.
The combination of luminous glass and naturally developed surface patination creates a distinctive appearance, with the mottled exterior revealing varying degrees of transparency and colour intensity throughout the vessel.
The unguentarium demonstrates the skill of Roman glassworkers, who employed free-blowing techniques to create delicate vessels with carefully controlled proportions. Its broad flared mouth, slender neck, and smoothly rounded lower body reflect established characteristics of ancient Roman perfume containers.
The vessel is accompanied by a clear acrylic display stand, allowing it to be presented securely at an angle while showcasing its distinctive coloration and elegant form.
Features
- Translucent blue-green glass with rich aqua, sea-green, and turquoise tones
- Gracefully elongated teardrop-shaped body with a rounded lower chamber
- Distinctive outward-flaring circular rim with a thickened, rounded edge
- Cylindrical neck with a gently constricted transition into the broader body
- Free-blown glass construction characteristic of Roman Imperial glassmaking
- Extensive surface weathering with scattered mineral deposits and cloudy areas
- Subtle blue-violet iridescent highlights and earthy-brown encrustations
- Traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, and cosmetic preparations
Cultural Significance
During the Roman Imperial Period, glass unguentaria were widely used throughout the Mediterranean world for storing perfumes, scented oils, cosmetics, and medicinal preparations. These small vessels formed an important part of Roman material culture, reflecting both the practical requirements and refined personal customs of everyday life.
The development of glassblowing during the late 1st century BCE revolutionized the production of glass vessels, allowing Roman artisans to manufacture lightweight containers in a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. The widespread adoption of this technique contributed to the expansion of glassmaking workshops across the Roman Empire, particularly throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
Blue-green glass was especially characteristic of Roman production, with its natural coloration frequently resulting from iron-bearing impurities present in the raw materials. Variations in composition and manufacturing conditions produced a range of pale aqua, greenish-blue, and turquoise hues that remain distinctive features of surviving Roman glass vessels.
Perfumes and aromatic oils occupied an important place in Roman society, particularly in personal grooming, bathing traditions, religious ceremonies, and social customs. Unguentaria were designed to contain relatively small quantities of these preparations, with their narrow necks helping regulate the dispensing of valuable liquids.
Similar vessels have also been recovered from Roman funerary contexts, where they accompanied the deceased as personal possessions or offerings. Their presence in burial assemblages provides valuable insight into Roman beliefs, domestic practices, and the cultural significance of perfumed substances.
The present example illustrates the refinement of ancient Roman glassmaking, combining functional design with elegant proportions and distinctive natural coloration. Its surviving blue-green glass, flared rim, and rounded body reflect the technical accomplishments and aesthetic traditions of Roman Imperial glass production.
Condition
The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, areas of cloudiness, scattered mineral encrustations, and earthy-brown deposits throughout.
The glass retains varying degrees of translucency, with subtle iridescent highlights and visible surface irregularities. Minor abrasions and localized wear are present across the body and around the flared rim.
The surviving surface exhibits variations in colour intensity, ranging from translucent aqua and turquoise-blue to softer greenish tones, with areas of reduced transparency associated with weathering and accumulated deposits.
The vessel retains its distinctive overall form, including the pronounced circular mouth, cylindrical neck, gently constricted shoulder, and rounded lower chamber.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.35 in
Maximum Diameter: 1 in
Age (Approximate)
1,700–1,900 years old
Provenance
Formerly in the private collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, United States, acquired during the 1980s. Guevrekian was a New York numismatist and collector with interests in Armenian coinage, ancient artifacts, and antiquities. His extensive collection included objects from several ancient civilizations, with a significant portion offered publicly in a dedicated New York auction in 1977.
Subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, an established specialist dealer in ancient coins and antiquities operating since 1995. The gallery specializes in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Islamic artifacts, serving collectors of ancient art and historical objects.
Learn More
Explore a comparable glass flask in the collection of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University
Discover more ancient Roman glass vessels and historical artifacts in our Roman & Greek Artifacts Collection
Descripción
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean
Material: Ancient free-blown blue-green glass with natural surface weathering and mineral encrustations
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE
Description
An elegant ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring distinctive blue-green coloration, a gracefully elongated teardrop-shaped body, cylindrical neck, and prominently flared circular rim. This finely proportioned vessel represents a characteristic form of Roman glassware traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, aromatic preparations, and cosmetics.
The vessel exhibits a broad, rounded lower chamber that gradually narrows toward a slightly constricted shoulder before extending into a short, cylindrical neck. Its mouth terminates in a pronounced, outward-flaring rim with a thickened, rounded edge, creating an attractive architectural contrast with the gently tapering body.
Particularly noteworthy is the glass's rich coloration, displaying translucent aqua, sea-green, and turquoise-blue tones that become increasingly pronounced toward the rounded base. The surface exhibits extensive weathering, scattered earthy mineral deposits, areas of cloudiness, and subtle blue-violet iridescent highlights.
The combination of luminous glass and naturally developed surface patination creates a distinctive appearance, with the mottled exterior revealing varying degrees of transparency and colour intensity throughout the vessel.
The unguentarium demonstrates the skill of Roman glassworkers, who employed free-blowing techniques to create delicate vessels with carefully controlled proportions. Its broad flared mouth, slender neck, and smoothly rounded lower body reflect established characteristics of ancient Roman perfume containers.
The vessel is accompanied by a clear acrylic display stand, allowing it to be presented securely at an angle while showcasing its distinctive coloration and elegant form.
Features
- Translucent blue-green glass with rich aqua, sea-green, and turquoise tones
- Gracefully elongated teardrop-shaped body with a rounded lower chamber
- Distinctive outward-flaring circular rim with a thickened, rounded edge
- Cylindrical neck with a gently constricted transition into the broader body
- Free-blown glass construction characteristic of Roman Imperial glassmaking
- Extensive surface weathering with scattered mineral deposits and cloudy areas
- Subtle blue-violet iridescent highlights and earthy-brown encrustations
- Traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, and cosmetic preparations
Cultural Significance
During the Roman Imperial Period, glass unguentaria were widely used throughout the Mediterranean world for storing perfumes, scented oils, cosmetics, and medicinal preparations. These small vessels formed an important part of Roman material culture, reflecting both the practical requirements and refined personal customs of everyday life.
The development of glassblowing during the late 1st century BCE revolutionized the production of glass vessels, allowing Roman artisans to manufacture lightweight containers in a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. The widespread adoption of this technique contributed to the expansion of glassmaking workshops across the Roman Empire, particularly throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.
Blue-green glass was especially characteristic of Roman production, with its natural coloration frequently resulting from iron-bearing impurities present in the raw materials. Variations in composition and manufacturing conditions produced a range of pale aqua, greenish-blue, and turquoise hues that remain distinctive features of surviving Roman glass vessels.
Perfumes and aromatic oils occupied an important place in Roman society, particularly in personal grooming, bathing traditions, religious ceremonies, and social customs. Unguentaria were designed to contain relatively small quantities of these preparations, with their narrow necks helping regulate the dispensing of valuable liquids.
Similar vessels have also been recovered from Roman funerary contexts, where they accompanied the deceased as personal possessions or offerings. Their presence in burial assemblages provides valuable insight into Roman beliefs, domestic practices, and the cultural significance of perfumed substances.
The present example illustrates the refinement of ancient Roman glassmaking, combining functional design with elegant proportions and distinctive natural coloration. Its surviving blue-green glass, flared rim, and rounded body reflect the technical accomplishments and aesthetic traditions of Roman Imperial glass production.
Condition
The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, areas of cloudiness, scattered mineral encrustations, and earthy-brown deposits throughout.
The glass retains varying degrees of translucency, with subtle iridescent highlights and visible surface irregularities. Minor abrasions and localized wear are present across the body and around the flared rim.
The surviving surface exhibits variations in colour intensity, ranging from translucent aqua and turquoise-blue to softer greenish tones, with areas of reduced transparency associated with weathering and accumulated deposits.
The vessel retains its distinctive overall form, including the pronounced circular mouth, cylindrical neck, gently constricted shoulder, and rounded lower chamber.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.35 in
Maximum Diameter: 1 in
Age (Approximate)
1,700–1,900 years old
Provenance
Formerly in the private collection of Jack Guevrekian, Manhasset, New York, United States, acquired during the 1980s. Guevrekian was a New York numismatist and collector with interests in Armenian coinage, ancient artifacts, and antiquities. His extensive collection included objects from several ancient civilizations, with a significant portion offered publicly in a dedicated New York auction in 1977.
Subsequently handled by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, an established specialist dealer in ancient coins and antiquities operating since 1995. The gallery specializes in Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Islamic artifacts, serving collectors of ancient art and historical objects.
Learn More
Explore a comparable glass flask in the collection of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University
Discover more ancient Roman glass vessels and historical artifacts in our Roman & Greek Artifacts Collection
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