Roman Iridescent Green Glass Ampulla

1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.

4 1/2 in. (23 grams, 11.6 cm high).

Featuring a bottle of a wide form, free blown from translucent glass of a soft turquoise hue, defined by a slightly concave base, a piriform body with a tapered shoulder, a lightly corseted neckline beneath a cylindrical neck, and a splayed rim with an in-folded lip.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

Cf. Filarska, B., Szkla Starozytne (Ancient Glass) II vol., Warszawa, 1972, II, cat.84, pl.XVIII,1, for similar vessel.

Footnotes

The ampulla was a small round vessel, usually made of glass and used for sacred purposes. The word is used in archaeology, also for flasks that are often handle-less and much flatter. Materials include glass, ceramics and metal. The unguentarium was a term for a bottle believed to have been used to store perfume.

CONDITION

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LOT 0731