This glass vessel was produced by using a blowing technique. The procedure would have required competency and knowledge of high temperature glass blowing and demonstrated the advanced technical skill of ancient glass craftsmen. 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. Once the craftsman had obtained the desired shape the object would have been cooled and detached, sometimes leaving a small mark at the base of the object. This is known as a pontil mark. 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 by Dr Stuart Kay in 1927 and the origins of the vessel may have been from the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

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 vessel would not have probably contained any oil or perfume, because the base is made of solid glass and the space is confined to the hollow of the neck. Such manufactured products would have possibly had symbolic meaning and may have functioned as gifts for the deceased rather than serve any practical purpose.

Vessel (unguentarium), glass, maker unknown, Roman empire, 1st and 2nd century

This small vessel was made from translucent light yellow glass, which has since become a golden iridescent colour with some white patina also evident. The delicate shape demonstrates a rounded but narrow globular body which extends into long constricted neck, while the body is also rounded. The rim does not survive. A pontil mark is noted on base.

A2607-2

40 mm

15 mm

31 mm