An elegant ancient Roman glass unguentarium, blown from pale translucent glass with a slight teal tint. The vessel features a piriform-shaped body, with a constriction at the base of the long cylindrical neck and an everted, folded rim. The base is slightly flattened. Beautiful iridescence along with some earthly encrustations to the surface. Please note the unguentarium cannot stand unaided. Unguentaria were amongst the most common objects of Roman blown glass: produced in large numbers, they were items of every day use for keeping expensive unguents and cosmetic oils. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. The small body and mouth allowed the user carefully to pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed, and glass was the material of choice for storing the oils because it was not porous. Measurements: Circa H 11.6cm x W 2.9cm Provenance: Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.