Late Roman period glass flask

late Roman period hand blown glass perfume flask. Glass blowing was developed in the Roman Empire in the 1st century and very quickly glass became a mass produced and inexpensive household material for all maner of objects, replacing earlier, more costly techniques. Many such items were used as funery objects containing perfumes, oils or wine for the afterlife. This is an iridescent glass flask with much added surface iridescence due to burial; the minerals in the glass slowly decompose over time when burried causing the beautiful patterns seen here. Such a small object would most likely have contained perfumed oil as a burial offering. Interesting to compare this beautiful tiny object with the Tiffany favrile salt dish we have in the glass section here. Tiffany drew on many sources of inspiration, Roman glass being one. In perfect condition.

height: 7cm