Roman Glass Small Olive Green Flask AD100-300

Description

Heading: Roman glass small olive green flask

Material: Glass

Period: Roman

Date: AD 100-300

Origin: Mediterranean areas

Condition: VF, slight cosmetic change to exposed areas commensurate with age and environmental damage.

Description: An olive green glass container with a bulbous body tapering to a neck with a slightly flared opening. Slight iridescence giving a lovely sheen.

Size and Weight: 53mm x 51mm, 23.56g

Features and Provenance:  From an established London collection

With relative peace during the mid 2^nd century, came a flood of new techniques for glass production in the Roman world. The original sand/cast method of glass making was replaced by glass blowing, which revolutionised their designs. It not only became cheaper but it allowed the addition of metals and minerals to colour the glass. Glass became the most popular form of container for perfumes and medicines as it wasn’t porous.

To achieve this unusual olive green colour, copper and a small amount of lead was added to the molten glass. The iridescences that is so charming with these pieces was not an intentional original finish by the glass blower, but a chemical process that occurs when the artefact is in an alkaline environment in the ground. The type of interaction with the glass depend on whether sea water, ground water or dry sands were involved.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of the artefact and there are grades between

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of pattern etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of pattern etc present, but may be worn

Fine (F). Wear on the artefact and parts of item and pattern etc may be missing or not visible