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Roman glass balsamarium

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posted on 2022-08-09, 07:54 authored by Centre for Ancient Cultures MuseumCentre for Ancient Cultures Museum

Drop-shaped Roman balsamarium of semi-translucent green/blue.  Commonly found in burials, this glass vessel was used to hold perfumes or oils. Blown glass, with iridescence especially in the lower part of the body, with cylindrical fluted body that tapers at the base standing on a heavy disc base, slightly flaring. No decoration, two looped trailed handles connect the conical neck to the flared hem and thickened rim: the thread is placed all around the neck.

Object number: 127.002.

Date: 3rd–4th century A.D.

Parallels: Philadelphia, Penn Museum 32-15-74, MS5067, MS5096, MS5189, MS5226, MS5241; Canberra, Australian National University, Classics Museum 1971.06; Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum 03.34, 10.5; London, British Museum 2000,0908.2; compare with Florence, Museo Archeologico Nazionale 1600097087; Pittsfield, Berkshire Museum (inv. unknown); compare with Houston, Museum of Fine Arts 31.115.

References: Isings, C., Roman Glass from dated finds, Groningen: J.B. Wolters, 1957; Folio Fine Art Ltd, Roman Glass, London, May 1971, no. 5 (ill.); J.R. Green with B. Rawson, Catalogue of Antiquities in the Australian National University, A.N.U. (Canberra, 1981) 114; Oliver, A., Ancient and Islamic Glass in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 1980, p. 115, nos. 194-198.

Photo by Steve Morton

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