Ancient Roman Glass Unguentarium | Long-Necked Perfume & Oil Flask | Circa 1st–3rd Century CE
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Ancient Roman Glass Unguentarium | Long-Necked Perfume & Oil Flask | Circa 1st–3rd Century CE
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean (attributed)
Material: Ancient blown 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 an exceptionally elongated, slender neck, gently flared rim, and rounded, bulbous base. This beautifully proportioned vessel represents a characteristic form of Roman glassware traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, cosmetic preparations, and other precious liquids.
The vessel exhibits a graceful, slightly tapering tubular neck that gradually expands into a distinctive teardrop-shaped body. Its upper opening is finished with a thickened, outward-flaring rim, creating a refined silhouette characteristic of Roman glassmaking traditions.
Originally manufactured from pale, nearly colourless glass with subtle greenish-grey and amber undertones, the surface has developed extensive weathering, scattered brown mineral deposits, and areas of cloudy iridescence. These surface characteristics create an attractive mottled appearance while preserving the vessel's delicate proportions and subtle translucency.
The glass retains its distinctive elongated profile, with the narrow neck providing a striking contrast to the rounded lower chamber. The overall form demonstrates the remarkable skill of ancient glassworkers, who employed glassblowing techniques to produce lightweight vessels with thin walls and carefully controlled proportions.
The artifact is accompanied by a clear acrylic display stand, allowing it to be presented securely at an angle while showcasing its elegant form.
Features
- Elegant elongated neck with a gently flared, thickened rim
- Distinctive rounded, teardrop-shaped bulbous base
- Pale translucent glass with subtle greenish-grey and amber undertones
- Extensive surface weathering with earthy-brown mineral deposits and encrustations
- Delicate proportions showcasing ancient Roman glassmaking craftsmanship
- Traditionally used for storing perfumes, scented oils, cosmetics, and other precious liquids
Cultural Significance
During the Roman Imperial Period, glass unguentaria were widely used throughout the Mediterranean world to contain fragrant oils, perfumes, cosmetics, and medicinal preparations.
The expansion of glassblowing technology during the 1st century BCE and subsequent Roman Imperial Period revolutionized glass production, allowing artisans to manufacture delicate, lightweight vessels in increasingly sophisticated forms.
Perfumes and scented oils occupied an important place in Roman society, where they were associated with personal grooming, bathing practices, social customs, and religious observances. Small glass containers were especially valued for storing these preparations, with their narrow necks helping regulate the dispensing of valuable liquids.
Unguentaria have also been recovered from Roman burial contexts, where they sometimes accompanied the deceased as personal possessions or funerary offerings.
Condition
The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, cloudy areas, scattered mineral encrustations, and earthy-brown deposits throughout.
Minor surface abrasions, irregularities, and visible hairline fissuring near the flared rim are present. The glass exhibits discolouration and areas of reduced transparency consistent with its weathered archaeological appearance.
The vessel retains its recognizable elongated form, slender neck, and rounded bulbous base.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.85 in
Maximum Diameter: 0.75 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 Roman drop-shaped glass unguentarium dating to circa 1st–2nd century CE in the collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art
Discover more ancient Roman glass vessels and historical artifacts in our Roman & Greek Artifacts Collection
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Roman Empire, Eastern Mediterranean (attributed)
Material: Ancient blown 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 an exceptionally elongated, slender neck, gently flared rim, and rounded, bulbous base. This beautifully proportioned vessel represents a characteristic form of Roman glassware traditionally associated with the storage of perfumes, scented oils, cosmetic preparations, and other precious liquids.
The vessel exhibits a graceful, slightly tapering tubular neck that gradually expands into a distinctive teardrop-shaped body. Its upper opening is finished with a thickened, outward-flaring rim, creating a refined silhouette characteristic of Roman glassmaking traditions.
Originally manufactured from pale, nearly colourless glass with subtle greenish-grey and amber undertones, the surface has developed extensive weathering, scattered brown mineral deposits, and areas of cloudy iridescence. These surface characteristics create an attractive mottled appearance while preserving the vessel's delicate proportions and subtle translucency.
The glass retains its distinctive elongated profile, with the narrow neck providing a striking contrast to the rounded lower chamber. The overall form demonstrates the remarkable skill of ancient glassworkers, who employed glassblowing techniques to produce lightweight vessels with thin walls and carefully controlled proportions.
The artifact is accompanied by a clear acrylic display stand, allowing it to be presented securely at an angle while showcasing its elegant form.
Features
- Elegant elongated neck with a gently flared, thickened rim
- Distinctive rounded, teardrop-shaped bulbous base
- Pale translucent glass with subtle greenish-grey and amber undertones
- Extensive surface weathering with earthy-brown mineral deposits and encrustations
- Delicate proportions showcasing ancient Roman glassmaking craftsmanship
- Traditionally used for storing perfumes, scented oils, cosmetics, and other precious liquids
Cultural Significance
During the Roman Imperial Period, glass unguentaria were widely used throughout the Mediterranean world to contain fragrant oils, perfumes, cosmetics, and medicinal preparations.
The expansion of glassblowing technology during the 1st century BCE and subsequent Roman Imperial Period revolutionized glass production, allowing artisans to manufacture delicate, lightweight vessels in increasingly sophisticated forms.
Perfumes and scented oils occupied an important place in Roman society, where they were associated with personal grooming, bathing practices, social customs, and religious observances. Small glass containers were especially valued for storing these preparations, with their narrow necks helping regulate the dispensing of valuable liquids.
Unguentaria have also been recovered from Roman burial contexts, where they sometimes accompanied the deceased as personal possessions or funerary offerings.
Condition
The vessel displays extensive surface weathering, cloudy areas, scattered mineral encrustations, and earthy-brown deposits throughout.
Minor surface abrasions, irregularities, and visible hairline fissuring near the flared rim are present. The glass exhibits discolouration and areas of reduced transparency consistent with its weathered archaeological appearance.
The vessel retains its recognizable elongated form, slender neck, and rounded bulbous base.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.85 in
Maximum Diameter: 0.75 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 Roman drop-shaped glass unguentarium dating to circa 1st–2nd century CE in the collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art
Discover more ancient Roman glass vessels and historical artifacts in our Roman & Greek Artifacts Collection
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