Roman Marbled Glass Perfume Bottle 1st – 2nd Century A.D

Description

Heading : Roman perfume bottle “unguentarium”
Date : 1st – 2nd Century A.D
Period : Roman Empire
Origin : Throughout the Roman Empire
Colour : Clear
Body : Lacrymiform with a restriction to form the conical neck and a folded rim
Glass Type : ‘Soda-lime’
Size : 7.6cm tall and 3.7cm in diameter
Condition : Excellent. one burst air bubble in its 1800 year life
Restoration : None
Weight : 21 grams

The Romans were far more attentive to matters of personal hygiene than most Britons were 1800 years later. Precious scented oils were deemed to be essentials that one would need on the journey to chthonic pleasures in the after life. The bottles were most frequently placed near the head of the deceased. There are a number to be seen in situ in the catacombs of St Paul . Rabat Mdina. This is an outstanding example.