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Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce
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sold SA1128922
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Exhibit Antiques

Exhibit Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2019
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Id #SA1128922
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Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce

17th century
Sold 9 May 2025 · Exhibit Antiques
This “Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce” found a buyer.

It was listed by Exhibit Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Technical Description

A rare form of Roman glass unguentarium perfume bottle dating from the 1st to 3rd century AD. Made from translucent pale blue glass, it has developed a stunning layer of internal iridescence. The rim is folded and finished at the furnace, pulled to form a long narrow tapering neck and blown bulbous body with undulating tooled ribbing. - This form is more often found to have a heavily tooled body as shown in the reference below, this example is very subtle.

Date & Origin

Roman, Early to Mid Imperial Empire, 1st to 3rd century CE.

Condition

Intact. The entire vessel is well-preserved with some residue encrustation to the exterior and minimal pitting. The interior exhibits a stunning layer of iridescence due to the encrustation throughout.

Dimensions

Height: 14 cm

Diameter: 3 cm

Provenance

Bonhams, London - December 1999.

References

MET museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/460817

MET museum (showing internal iridescence): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245442

Physical Dimensions
Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Declaration

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Roman Glass Unguentarium to the Before 1700 period.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1128922
Dealers Internal Reference
2024120707
Description
Technical Description

A rare form of Roman glass unguentarium perfume bottle dating from the 1st to 3rd century AD. Made from translucent pale blue glass, it has developed a stunning layer of internal iridescence.

“
The rim is folded and finished at the furnace, pulled to form a long narrow tapering neck and blown bulbous body with undulating tooled ribbing.
Exhibit Antiques

- This form is more often found to have a heavily tooled body as shown in the reference below, this example is very subtle.

fig 1. An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination.
fig 1. Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce

Date & Origin

Roman, Early to Mid Imperial Empire, 1st to 3rd century CE.

Condition

Intact. The entire vessel is well-preserved with some residue encrustation to the exterior and minimal pitting. The interior exhibits a stunning layer of iridescence due to the encrustation throughout.

fig 2. An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination.
fig 2. Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce

Dimensions

Height: 14 cm

Diameter: 3 cm

Provenance

Bonhams, London - December 1999.

References

MET museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/460817

MET museum (showing internal iridescence): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245442

Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
3cm (1.18")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Date of Manufacture

Exhibit Antiques has dated this Roman Glass Unguentarium to the Before 1700 period.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1128922
Dealers Internal Ref
2024120707
Exhibit Antiques
Exhibit Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2019

Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Exhibit Antiques Profile Page

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An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century Ce

Archive II An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. View II
Archive III An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. View III
Archive IV An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. View IV
Archive V An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. View V
Archive VI An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01501 228 282
Location
Glasgow
Scotland
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2019
Items For Sale 145
Items Sold 2,193
Exhibit Antiques
Exhibit Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2019
For Sale
145
Sold
2,193
An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination.
Rare Ribbed Roman Glass Unguentarium 1st to 3rd Century CE
Ref: SA1128922
An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a bulbous body, long slender neck, and iridescent surface patination.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Detail View 5
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVessels
  • Period17th century
  • StyleClassical Antiquity
  • MaterialGlass
  • ColourBlue
  • MotifsLong slender neck, Bulbous body, Iridescent patination
  • SizeH 14 cm (6 in) x W 3 cm (1 in) x D 3 cm (1 in)

An unguentarium is a small ancient vessel typically used to hold oils, perfumes, or unguents, often placed as grave goods in Roman burials.

Ancient glass should be kept in a stable environment away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations, handling it minimally and cleaning only with a dry, soft brush when necessary.

Displaying ancient glass within a minimalist glass cabinet or on a dedicated shelf with controlled, neutral lighting highlights its delicate forms and iridescent patination.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit characteristic iridescence, pitting, weathering crusts, and pontil marks on the base resulting from centuries of chemical interaction with burial soil.

Roman glass was primarily made from silica, soda, and lime, shaped using core-forming, casting, and notably free-blowing or mold-blowing techniques developed during the imperial period.
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