This glass vessel was produced by using a blowing technique. Such a technique demonstrated the technical skills of ancient glass craftsmen. The procedure would have required competency and knowledge of high temperature glass crafting. Through the use of a long rod, air would have been blown into it in order to create the body of the vessel located on the opposite end of the rod in molten form. In this case the base of the vessel was possibly created with the use of a mould. Mould pressing was undertaken by pressing hot glass into an open mould so that the viscous glass was moved to the corners or edges of the mould cavity in order to make a faithful copy.

Depending on the skill of the glass maker, various shapes and designs could be created, frequently resulting in very delicate products.

This object was acquired from Charles Ede in London in 1972.

Vessels of this type are called Unguentaria because they were used as receptacles for unguents such as oils and perfumes that made up part of ancient Roman or Greek toilet. In some cases they were also thought to contain medicine. Unguentaria were normally made of clay or glass and exist in numerous shapes and sizes. Many of these objects were found in burial contexts and were initially though to have contained the tears of mourners hence their early term "tear bottles" or "lachrymatories". This particular type of unguentarium vessel is what is known as a "candle stick unguentarium" because it resembles the shape of a candle stick holder.

Vessel (unguentarium), glass, maker unknown, Roman empire, 2nd century A.D.

This vessel is made of a pale blue/green translucent glass. The body forms a domed shape with an indented base, a long slender neck which is constricted at the base. The top part of the neck flares into everted inward-folded rim. The surface has become slightly iridescent with some white patina also evident.

Made: Rome, Italy; 100 - 199


Used: Rome, Italy

A6007

100 - 199

153 mm

55 mm

135 mm