Ancient Roman Green Glass Unguentarium | 1st–2nd Century CE
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Ancient Roman Green Glass Unguentarium | 1st–2nd Century CE
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Eastern Mediterranean, Roman Levant (Traditional Attribution)
Material: Free-Blown Pale Green Glass
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–2nd Century CE
Description
This 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.
The vessel displays a soft sea-green colour, with subtle variations of pale turquoise and deeper green visible beneath extensive mineral deposits and surface weathering.
Its 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Of 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.
Features
- Free-blown pale sea-green glass construction
- Rounded, globular body with an elongated cylindrical neck
- Pronounced outward-flaring rim with thickened, folded lip
- Subtle turquoise and deeper green coloration
- Extensive mineral encrustations, earthy deposits, and areas of iridescence
- Fine linear surface markings along the elongated neck
- Traditional attribution to the Roman-period Levant
- Historical display base with identification plaque
- Accompanied by original 1998 purchase documentation from Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem
Cultural Significance
Roman 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.
Perfumes 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.
The 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.
Unguentaria 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.
The 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.
Condition
The vessel presents as substantially intact, retaining its rounded body, elongated neck, and flared mouth.
Extensive surface weathering is present throughout, including mineral encrustations, pitting, earthy deposits, areas of discoloration, and localized iridescence.
Fine 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.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.5 in
Age (Approximate)
1,800–2,000 years old
Provenance
Formerly acquired by a private collector from West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA, through Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem, Israel, on August 16, 1998.
The 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.
Learn More
Discover a comparable Roman glass unguentarium featuring a globular body and folded rim at the J. Paul Getty Museum
Browse Our Collection of Historical Glass Artifacts & Collectibles
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Eastern Mediterranean, Roman Levant (Traditional Attribution)
Material: Free-Blown Pale Green Glass
Period: Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–2nd Century CE
Description
This 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.
The vessel displays a soft sea-green colour, with subtle variations of pale turquoise and deeper green visible beneath extensive mineral deposits and surface weathering.
Its 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Of 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.
Features
- Free-blown pale sea-green glass construction
- Rounded, globular body with an elongated cylindrical neck
- Pronounced outward-flaring rim with thickened, folded lip
- Subtle turquoise and deeper green coloration
- Extensive mineral encrustations, earthy deposits, and areas of iridescence
- Fine linear surface markings along the elongated neck
- Traditional attribution to the Roman-period Levant
- Historical display base with identification plaque
- Accompanied by original 1998 purchase documentation from Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem
Cultural Significance
Roman 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.
Perfumes 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.
The 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.
Unguentaria 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.
The 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.
Condition
The vessel presents as substantially intact, retaining its rounded body, elongated neck, and flared mouth.
Extensive surface weathering is present throughout, including mineral encrustations, pitting, earthy deposits, areas of discoloration, and localized iridescence.
Fine 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.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 3.5 in
Age (Approximate)
1,800–2,000 years old
Provenance
Formerly acquired by a private collector from West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA, through Sasson Ancient Art, Jerusalem, Israel, on August 16, 1998.
The 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.
Learn More
Discover a comparable Roman glass unguentarium featuring a globular body and folded rim at the J. Paul Getty Museum
Browse Our Collection of Historical Glass Artifacts & Collectibles
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