{"product_id":"ancient-roman-green-glass-unguentarium-1st-2nd-century-ce","title":"Ancient Roman Green Glass Unguentarium | 1st–2nd Century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern Mediterranean, Roman Levant (Traditional Attribution)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-Blown Pale Green Glass\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–2nd Century CE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attractive ancient Roman glass unguentarium features a generously rounded, almost spherical body rising into a slender cylindrical neck and terminating in a pronounced, outward-flaring folded rim. Its elegant proportions and delicate glasswork reflect the refined craftsmanship of Roman glassmakers during the early Imperial period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vessel displays a soft sea-green colour, with subtle variations of pale turquoise and deeper green visible beneath extensive mineral deposits and surface weathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts rounded body exhibits an especially appealing mottled appearance, with areas of darker earthy encrustation, pale mineral accretions, and occasional flashes of iridescence. These surface characteristics contribute to its distinctive archaeological appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elongated neck remains well defined, displaying fine linear surface markings and variations in the glass fabric. The upper opening is finished with a thickened, rounded lip, characteristic of Roman glassmaking techniques in which heated glass was manipulated to create a strengthened rim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vessel's compact proportions and functional form reflect the Roman tradition of producing small glass containers for perfumes, aromatic oils, ointments, and other valuable liquids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is the accompanying historical display base, bearing a plaque identifying the artifact as Roman, dating from the 1st–4th centuries CE, and traditionally attributed to the Land of Israel. The vessel is further accompanied by historical purchase documentation from Sasson Ancient Art in Jerusalem, dated August 16, 1998.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Free-blown pale sea-green glass construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rounded, globular body with an elongated cylindrical neck\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Pronounced outward-flaring rim with thickened, folded lip\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Subtle turquoise and deeper green coloration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Extensive mineral encrustations, earthy deposits, and areas of iridescence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Fine linear surface markings along the elongated neck\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Traditional attribution to the Roman-period Levant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Historical display base with identification plaque\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Accompanied by original 1998 purchase documentation from Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoman glass unguentaria provide fascinating insight into personal care, commerce, and material culture throughout the ancient Mediterranean. These small vessels were widely used for storing perfumes, aromatic oils, medicinal preparations, and other valuable substances associated with daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfumes and scented oils held an important place in Roman society, serving purposes connected with personal grooming, bathing, medicinal practices, and religious observances. Glass containers provided a practical means of preserving and dispensing these substances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe development and widespread adoption of glassblowing during the Roman period transformed ancient glass production. This technique enabled craftsmen to produce vessels in a greater variety of shapes and sizes, making glass containers increasingly accessible throughout the Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnguentaria have been recovered from domestic, commercial, and funerary archaeological contexts, demonstrating their importance across different aspects of Roman life. Their distinctive forms and manufacturing techniques also reflect the extensive networks of trade and craftsmanship connecting the Mediterranean provinces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rounded body, elongated neck, and folded rim of this example belong to a well-documented tradition of early Imperial Roman glassmaking, represented in important archaeological and museum collections worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vessel presents as substantially intact, retaining its rounded body, elongated neck, and flared mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtensive surface weathering is present throughout, including mineral encrustations, pitting, earthy deposits, areas of discoloration, and localized iridescence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFine linear markings are visible along the neck, together with natural variations in the glass surface. No major losses are apparent in the supplied photographs, although the extent of any fine cracks or historic repairs cannot be determined from photographs alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 3.5 in \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1,800–2,000 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly acquired by a private collector from West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA, through Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem, Israel, on August 16, 1998.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying historical invoice was issued by Sasson Ancient Art, formerly located at the King David Hotel Annex in Jerusalem. The document identifies the artifact as a \"Roman Glass Unguentarium\" dating from the 1st–2nd century CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover a comparable Roman glass unguentarium featuring a globular body and folded rim at the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.getty.edu\/publications\/ancient-glass\/catalogue\/cat-338\/\" title=\"Roman Glass Unguentarium, 1st–2nd Century CE – J. Paul Getty Museum\"\u003eJ. Paul Getty Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse Our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/historical-glass-artifacts-collectibles\" title=\"Historical Glass Artifacts \u0026amp; Collectibles – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Historical Glass Artifacts \u0026amp; Collectibles\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67846772490562,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-10-22T130722.151.jpg?v=1792698580","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/ancient-roman-green-glass-unguentarium-1st-2nd-century-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}