Roman Twin-Handled Glass Flask

$821.41

An Ancient Roman flask in green thickly opaque glass with a mottled and iridescent crust. The rounded body features light diagonal ribbing and four dimples. Two handles join a thin cylindrical spout with a double rolled rim. This flask bears a resemblance to the ‘Pilgrim Flask’ from the 4th Century AD.

Exhibited in 2003, “Glass of the Caesars” 181 Piccadilly, S.W.I

Date: 3rd Century AD
Condition: Very fine condition.

SOLD

SKU: AS-1809 Category: Tags: ,

Glass was often the preferred material for storing expensive oils, perfumes, and medicines because it was not porous. The small body and mouth allowed the user carefully to pour and control the amount of liquid dispensed. By the 1st century AD, the technique of glass-blowing had revolutionised the art of glass-making, allowing for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. These small glass bottles are found frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries, and the liquids which filled them would have been gathered from all corners of the expansive Roman Empire.

The iridescence on ancient Roman glass was unintentional, and was caused by weathering on its surface. The extent to which a glass object weathers depends mainly on the burial conditions; however, the humidity, heat, and type of soil in which the glass was buried also all affect its preservation.

To find out more about Roman glass please see our relevant blog post: Collecting Roman Glass.

Weight 81 g
Dimensions H 10 cm
Culture

Glass

Region

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