A remarkable large blown-glass ''unguentarium'' pleasingly formed with a round pear-shaped body, slender neck and flared lip. Beautiful light green glass and very fine surface patina with soil encrustation and extensive areas of intense blue, green, silver and magenta iridescence – excellent condition.
Roman, circa 1st - 3rd century AD
Glass of this shape was used to store ointments or cosmetic oils.
Provenance: Ex-collection Royal Ontario Museum.
(143 x 58 mm – 5 5/8 x 2 5/16 inches)
The survival of this fragile glass seems nearly miraculous. Occasionally examples where the glass has reacted to burial exhibit a shimmering iridescence that has long captivated the imagination of the most ardent collectors and artists.
