Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A trio of charming blown glass vessels, each known as an unguentarium. These bottles would have been used to transport and preserve unguents and cosmetics; their narrow necks prevented evaporation. The use of perfumes and cosmetics were so widespread in Roman society that Pliny the Elder and the satirist Martial, both writing in the 1st century CE, bemoaned and ridiculed the habits of Roman citizens for smothering the hair and body in the costly scented oils. Unguentaria like these would have been used daily in the household and probably buried with their owners. Size of largest (all are fairly similar in size): 1.95" W x 4.1" H (5 cm x 10.4 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#131394

  • Condition: All three are intact, with some encrusted deposits and silvery and rainbow iridescent patinas. One in particular has a spectacular patina. Another has a very clear pontil.

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August 2, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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