Roman Provincial Stone Unguentarium | Ancient Perfume & Cosmetic Vessel | 1st–3rd Century CE

Historique de provenance et de propriété
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Formerly part of a private collection in Sarasota Beach, Florida, USA. Subsequently handled by Akiba Galleries, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.  Akiba Galleries is an established, family-owned auction house specializing in fine art, antiques, historical artifacts, and collectible objects from around the world. Known for its diverse and carefully curated auctions, the gallery serves an international clientele of collectors, dealers, and institutions.

$600.00
$600.00
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This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
Questions before acquiring? Additional photographs, condition details, documentation, shipping information or a private viewing are available upon request.
Ancient Roman stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, and thick projecting rim.
360-degree rotating view of an attributed Roman Imperial stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, thick flared rim, and weathered beige stone surface. The video highlights the vessel’s distinctive shape and porous texture.
Roman Imperial stone perfume vessel with a spherical body, narrow neck, and weathered buff-coloured surface, catalogued as volcanic tuff.
Ancient Roman carved stone unguentarium displaying a thick outward-flaring rim, circular mouth, and distinctive porous stone construction.
Roman stone perfume bottle featuring a rounded lower chamber, recessed neck band, and natural beige to sandy-brown coloration.
Ancient Roman Imperial unguentarium with a long cylindrical neck, pronounced rounded shoulders, and coarse granular stone texture.
Roman-period carved stone vessel exhibiting extensive mineral deposits, surface abrasions, and natural irregularities across its bulbous body.
Ancient Roman stone unguentarium featuring a thickened circular lip, narrow opening, and visible weathering along its elongated neck.
Roman Imperial perfume container with a nearly spherical body, pale buff-coloured stone surface, and scattered earthy encrustations.
Ancient Roman-style volcanic tuff vessel displaying an undecorated sculptural form, porous texture, and visible fissure along its lower body.
Roman stone unguentarium attributed to the 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a globular body, cylindrical neck, thick rim, and archaeological surface deposits.
  • Ancient Roman stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, and thick projecting rim.
  • 360-degree rotating view of an attributed Roman Imperial stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, thick flared rim, and weathered beige stone surface. The video highlights the vessel’s distinctive shape and porous texture.
  • Roman Imperial stone perfume vessel with a spherical body, narrow neck, and weathered buff-coloured surface, catalogued as volcanic tuff.
  • Ancient Roman carved stone unguentarium displaying a thick outward-flaring rim, circular mouth, and distinctive porous stone construction.
  • Roman stone perfume bottle featuring a rounded lower chamber, recessed neck band, and natural beige to sandy-brown coloration.
  • Ancient Roman Imperial unguentarium with a long cylindrical neck, pronounced rounded shoulders, and coarse granular stone texture.
  • Roman-period carved stone vessel exhibiting extensive mineral deposits, surface abrasions, and natural irregularities across its bulbous body.
  • Ancient Roman stone unguentarium featuring a thickened circular lip, narrow opening, and visible weathering along its elongated neck.
  • Roman Imperial perfume container with a nearly spherical body, pale buff-coloured stone surface, and scattered earthy encrustations.
  • Ancient Roman-style volcanic tuff vessel displaying an undecorated sculptural form, porous texture, and visible fissure along its lower body.
  • Roman stone unguentarium attributed to the 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a globular body, cylindrical neck, thick rim, and archaeological surface deposits.
Ancient Roman stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, and thick projecting rim.
360-degree rotating view of an attributed Roman Imperial stone unguentarium, circa 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a rounded bulbous body, elongated cylindrical neck, thick flared rim, and weathered beige stone surface. The video highlights the vessel’s distinctive shape and porous texture.
Roman Imperial stone perfume vessel with a spherical body, narrow neck, and weathered buff-coloured surface, catalogued as volcanic tuff.
Ancient Roman carved stone unguentarium displaying a thick outward-flaring rim, circular mouth, and distinctive porous stone construction.
Roman stone perfume bottle featuring a rounded lower chamber, recessed neck band, and natural beige to sandy-brown coloration.
Ancient Roman Imperial unguentarium with a long cylindrical neck, pronounced rounded shoulders, and coarse granular stone texture.
Roman-period carved stone vessel exhibiting extensive mineral deposits, surface abrasions, and natural irregularities across its bulbous body.
Ancient Roman stone unguentarium featuring a thickened circular lip, narrow opening, and visible weathering along its elongated neck.
Roman Imperial perfume container with a nearly spherical body, pale buff-coloured stone surface, and scattered earthy encrustations.
Ancient Roman-style volcanic tuff vessel displaying an undecorated sculptural form, porous texture, and visible fissure along its lower body.
Roman stone unguentarium attributed to the 1st–3rd century CE, featuring a globular body, cylindrical neck, thick rim, and archaeological surface deposits.
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Roman Provincial Stone Unguentarium | Ancient Perfume & Cosmetic Vessel | 1st–3rd Century CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Roman Empire (Precise Provincial Origin Unknown)
Material: Carved Porous Buff-Coloured Stone, Catalogued as Volcanic Tuff
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE (Attributed)

Description

This distinctive Roman-style stone unguentarium features a generously rounded, bulbous body rising into an elongated cylindrical neck, crowned by a thick, outward-projecting rim. Its simple yet elegant proportions reflect the recognizable vessel forms associated with Roman Imperial perfume and ointment containers.

The nearly spherical lower chamber transitions smoothly into a substantial upright neck, with a narrow recessed band defining the junction between the neck and shoulder. The slightly flared mouth provides a pronounced finishing detail, emphasizing the vessel's balanced silhouette.

Fashioned from pale beige to sandy-brown porous stone, the exterior exhibits a heavily textured surface characterized by granular irregularities, scattered mineral deposits, and subtle variations in coloration. The material was identified by the previous auction house as volcanic silicate tuff, although its precise geological composition has not been independently confirmed.

The vessel's understated design emphasizes its sculptural form rather than applied decoration. Its weathered surface, substantial stone construction, and distinctive proportions distinguish it from the more commonly encountered glass and ceramic unguentaria of the Roman world.

Features

- Rounded, bulbous body with an elongated cylindrical neck

- Thick, outward-projecting rim surrounding a circular mouth

- Narrow recessed band separating the neck and shoulder

- Pale beige and sandy-brown coloration with natural tonal variations

- Coarse, porous stone surface with distinctive granular texture

- Simple, undecorated form reflecting Roman Imperial unguentarium traditions

- Previously catalogued as a hand-carved volcanic tuff vessel

- Visible mineral deposits, surface weathering, and age-related irregularities

- Distinctive stone construction uncommon among typical Roman glass and ceramic unguentaria

Cultural Significance

During the Roman Imperial period, perfumes, aromatic oils, and medicinal preparations formed an important part of everyday life throughout the Mediterranean world. These substances were associated with personal grooming, bathing, religious observances, and funerary practices.

Small vessels known as unguentaria were widely used to contain, preserve, and dispense valuable liquids. Their characteristic rounded bodies, elongated necks, and relatively narrow openings provided a practical means of controlling the movement and distribution of their contents.

Unguentaria were produced primarily from terracotta and glass, reflecting the development of specialized container-making traditions across the Roman Empire. Archaeological discoveries have documented their presence in domestic, commercial, and funerary contexts, illustrating their significance in both everyday activities and ceremonial practices.

Stone vessels also formed part of the broader Mediterranean tradition of producing containers from durable natural materials. The present example, catalogued as a Roman Imperial unguentarium, reflects the distinctive silhouette of these ancient containers while exhibiting an unusual porous stone construction.

Its substantial form and understated craftsmanship offer an intriguing connection to the material culture and vessel-making traditions of the ancient Mediterranean.

Condition

The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, granular texture, scattered mineral deposits, and areas of discoloration.

Minor surface abrasions and irregularities are present throughout, together with a visible fissure along the lower portion of the rounded body.

The thick rim and cylindrical neck retain their overall form, with surface wear and minor irregularities consistent with the vessel's present condition.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 5.75 in
Width: 3.325 in
Depth: 3.325 in

Age (Approximate)

1,700–2,000 years old

Provenance

Formerly part of a private collection in Sarasota Beach, Florida, USA. Subsequently handled by Akiba Galleries, Dania Beach, Florida, USA. Akiba Galleries is an established, family-owned auction house specializing in fine art, antiques, historical artifacts, and collectible objects from around the world. Known for its diverse and carefully curated auctions, the gallery serves an international clientele of collectors, dealers, and institutions.

Learn More

Discover a comparable Roman unguentarium featuring a bulbous body and elongated neck at the Acropolis Museum

Browse Our Collection of Roman & Greek Artifacts

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Roman Empire (Precise Provincial Origin Unknown)
Material: Carved Porous Buff-Coloured Stone, Catalogued as Volcanic Tuff
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd Century CE (Attributed)

Description

This distinctive Roman-style stone unguentarium features a generously rounded, bulbous body rising into an elongated cylindrical neck, crowned by a thick, outward-projecting rim. Its simple yet elegant proportions reflect the recognizable vessel forms associated with Roman Imperial perfume and ointment containers.

The nearly spherical lower chamber transitions smoothly into a substantial upright neck, with a narrow recessed band defining the junction between the neck and shoulder. The slightly flared mouth provides a pronounced finishing detail, emphasizing the vessel's balanced silhouette.

Fashioned from pale beige to sandy-brown porous stone, the exterior exhibits a heavily textured surface characterized by granular irregularities, scattered mineral deposits, and subtle variations in coloration. The material was identified by the previous auction house as volcanic silicate tuff, although its precise geological composition has not been independently confirmed.

The vessel's understated design emphasizes its sculptural form rather than applied decoration. Its weathered surface, substantial stone construction, and distinctive proportions distinguish it from the more commonly encountered glass and ceramic unguentaria of the Roman world.

Features

- Rounded, bulbous body with an elongated cylindrical neck

- Thick, outward-projecting rim surrounding a circular mouth

- Narrow recessed band separating the neck and shoulder

- Pale beige and sandy-brown coloration with natural tonal variations

- Coarse, porous stone surface with distinctive granular texture

- Simple, undecorated form reflecting Roman Imperial unguentarium traditions

- Previously catalogued as a hand-carved volcanic tuff vessel

- Visible mineral deposits, surface weathering, and age-related irregularities

- Distinctive stone construction uncommon among typical Roman glass and ceramic unguentaria

Cultural Significance

During the Roman Imperial period, perfumes, aromatic oils, and medicinal preparations formed an important part of everyday life throughout the Mediterranean world. These substances were associated with personal grooming, bathing, religious observances, and funerary practices.

Small vessels known as unguentaria were widely used to contain, preserve, and dispense valuable liquids. Their characteristic rounded bodies, elongated necks, and relatively narrow openings provided a practical means of controlling the movement and distribution of their contents.

Unguentaria were produced primarily from terracotta and glass, reflecting the development of specialized container-making traditions across the Roman Empire. Archaeological discoveries have documented their presence in domestic, commercial, and funerary contexts, illustrating their significance in both everyday activities and ceremonial practices.

Stone vessels also formed part of the broader Mediterranean tradition of producing containers from durable natural materials. The present example, catalogued as a Roman Imperial unguentarium, reflects the distinctive silhouette of these ancient containers while exhibiting an unusual porous stone construction.

Its substantial form and understated craftsmanship offer an intriguing connection to the material culture and vessel-making traditions of the ancient Mediterranean.

Condition

The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, granular texture, scattered mineral deposits, and areas of discoloration.

Minor surface abrasions and irregularities are present throughout, together with a visible fissure along the lower portion of the rounded body.

The thick rim and cylindrical neck retain their overall form, with surface wear and minor irregularities consistent with the vessel's present condition.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 5.75 in
Width: 3.325 in
Depth: 3.325 in

Age (Approximate)

1,700–2,000 years old

Provenance

Formerly part of a private collection in Sarasota Beach, Florida, USA. Subsequently handled by Akiba Galleries, Dania Beach, Florida, USA. Akiba Galleries is an established, family-owned auction house specializing in fine art, antiques, historical artifacts, and collectible objects from around the world. Known for its diverse and carefully curated auctions, the gallery serves an international clientele of collectors, dealers, and institutions.

Learn More

Discover a comparable Roman unguentarium featuring a bulbous body and elongated neck at the Acropolis Museum

Browse Our Collection of Roman & Greek Artifacts

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