**First Time At Auction**

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A delicate yellow ochre-colored blown glass vessel known as an unguentarium, with a wide, pyramidal base that flows into a very thin, long neck before flaring out into a delicate mouth with a rolled rim. Bottles like this one 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 encyclopedist 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 this would have been used daily in the household and probably buried with their owners. Size: 2.75" W x 4.8" H (7 cm x 12.2 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#135304

Intact with incredible purple/rainbow patina on interior.