Roman Green Glass ‘Date’ Flask

$499.17

A finely-blown Ancient Roman  green flask in the shape of a date, with vertical ribs on the cylindrical body to recreate the date’s wrinkles. it features a thick, flattened base and a small slightly flaring mouth which presents a minor chip on its rim. It also features a tiny chip on its shoulder, piercing through the inside. The vessel has some earthy encrustation inside the body, and displays a beautiful gradual change of colour from dark green at the bottom to pale green at the top.

Date: 1st Century AD
Condition: Fine condition.

In stock

SKU: AM-003 Category:

Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user carefully to pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. 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. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.

To find out more about Roman glass please see our relevant blog post: Collecting Roman Glass.

 

Weight 23.2 g
Dimensions H 8.5 cm
Glass

Region

Culture

Reference: For a similar item please see The Metropolitan Museum, New York, item 91.1.1295

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