Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A dazzling set of 2 unguent-holding vessels known as unguentaria (singular unguentarium), each free-blown from semi-translucent glass, which has now turned opaque due to centuries of weathering film and shimmering, rainbow-hued iridescence that envelop their surfaces. The shorter vessel has a piriform body, a rounded base, a corseted neckline beneath a slender, cylindrical neck, and a flared rim. Alternatively, the taller has a drop-form body and a flat base. Size (of tallest): 0.7" in diameter x 3.9" H (1.8 cm x 9.9 cm)
Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s
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#165250
Condition
Pontil mark on base of shorter vessel. Pontil mark on underside of base. A pontil scar or mark indicates that a vessel was free-blown, while the absence of such a mark suggests that the work was either mold-blown or that the mark was intentionally smoothed away or wore away over time. Otherwise, both are intact and excellent with heavy weathering film and marvelous iridescence.