Unguentaria were amongst the most common objects of Roman blown glass: produced in large numbers, they were items of everyday use for keeping expensive perfumes and cosmetic oils. The small body and mouth were ideal for slow, careful pouring, while glass was preferred for holding liquids, due to its non-porous, non-absorbent nature. ‘Candlestick’ unguentaria are so named for their elongated neck and were especially used in funerary and burial rituals, hence their frequent occurrence in archaeological excavations of ancient cemeteries.
To find out more about Roman glass please see our relevant blog posts: Ancient Glass and Collecting Guide: Ancient Roman Glass
