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Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd to 3rd Century Ce
Sold by Exhibit Antiques
sold SA1128925
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Exhibit Antiques

Exhibit Antiques

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Id #SA1128925
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Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd to 3rd Century Ce

17th century
Sold 19 April 2025 · Exhibit Antiques
This “Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd 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

An uncommon Roman glass unguentarium perfume bottle dating from the 2nd to 3rd century AD. Made from translucent aqua blue/green glass, it has developed remarkably thin layers naturally flaking creamy white patina. The rim is folded and finished at the furnace, a flaring lip is pulled to form a tapering neck and an angular blown body with a pontil scar to the slightly thickened base.

Date & Origin

Roman, Mid Imperial Empire, 2nd to 3rd century CE.

Condition

Intact. The exterior exhibits a stunning flaking patina layer and cream-to-brown natural staining. Iridescent surface and encrustation to parts.

Dimensions

Height: 11.5 cm

Diameter: 3.5 cm

Provenance

Bonhams, London - December 1999.

References

MET museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245213

Physical Dimensions
Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
3.5cm (1.38")
Depth
3.5cm (1.38")
Declaration

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1128925
Dealers Internal Reference
2024120708
Description
Technical Description

An uncommon Roman glass unguentarium perfume bottle dating from the 2nd to 3rd century AD.

“
Made from translucent aqua blue/green glass, it has developed remarkably thin layers naturally flaking creamy white patina.
Exhibit Antiques

The rim is folded and finished at the furnace, a flaring lip is pulled to form a tapering neck and an angular blown body with a pontil scar to the slightly thickened base.

fig 1. An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering.
fig 1. Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd to 3rd Century Ce

Date & Origin

Roman, Mid Imperial Empire, 2nd to 3rd century CE.

Condition

Intact. The exterior exhibits a stunning flaking patina layer and cream-to-brown natural staining. Iridescent surface and encrustation to parts.

Dimensions

Height: 11.5 cm

Diameter: 3.5 cm

Provenance

Bonhams, London - December 1999.

References

MET museum: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245213

Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
3.5cm (1.38")
Depth
3.5cm (1.38")
Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1128925
Dealers Internal Ref
2024120708
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 long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 5
Archive I An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd to 3rd Century Ce

Archive II An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. View II
Archive III An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. View III
Archive IV An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. View IV
Archive V An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering. View V
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 long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering.
Roman Glass Unguentarium 2nd to 3rd Century CE
Ref: SA1128925
An ancient Roman glass unguentarium featuring a long narrow neck, flared rim, and teardrop body with iridescent weathering.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectVessels and Containers
  • Period17th century
  • StyleClassical Antiquity
  • MaterialGlass
  • ColourPale Green
  • MotifsFlared rim, Long cylindrical neck, Teardrop body, Iridescent patina
  • SizeH 11.5 cm (5 in) x W 3.5 cm (1 in) x D 3.5 cm (1 in)

An unguentarium is a small ceramic or glass vessel used in the ancient Greco-Roman world primarily for storing perfumes, oils, and cosmetics, frequently placed in tombs as grave goods.

These vessels were typically manufactured using free-blowing or mold-blowing techniques with soda-lime silica glass, often developing a characteristic iridescent weathering crust over centuries of burial.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit genuine soil encrustation, internal strain cracks, root marks, and iridescent or silvery weathering layers caused by the leaching of minerals from the surrounding earth.

Such historic objects are best displayed within protective acrylic vitrines or on minimalist display shelving, allowing their unique silhouettes and patinas to serve as sculptural focal points.

Ancient glass should be kept in a stable environment away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and rapid temperature fluctuations, and should only be cleaned by professionals to avoid damaging the delicate surface patina.
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