Two glass vessels ·  Europe-Antiques, roman · ID: 3036820

Description

a) pale green blown glass bottle, h: 14,5 cm, tear drop form body, long neck and flared, rolled rim lip, light iridescence and light encrustation; b) pale green blown candlestick unguentarium, h: 11,7 cm, squat globular body, long neck, air pockets, light encrustations;
an “unguentarium”, “balsamarium” or “lacrimarium” is a small glass or ceramic bottle. It was used to held ointments, oils, perfumes and cosmetics, amongst many other items. Because many “unguentariums” were also found in ancient cemeteries, and they seem somewhat impractical in form, it is romanticized that they were used as tear-catchers for mourning loved ones. However, the general thought today in analyzing the ancient contents is that this idea is just a myth.