Artifact - Antiquity - Iridescent Glass Balsam Jar - Roman Empire - Egypt - 2nd-3rd Century

Period: Roman Empire - 2nd-3rd century Origin: Eastern Mediterranean - Egypt Provenance: Private collection of Mr. B. (Acquired before 1973), South of France Magnificent glass balsam jar, with a striking natural iridescence, formed over the centuries. This object, used in Antiquity to contain perfumed oils or ointments, embodies the elegance of small Roman bottles, both practical and aesthetic. The blown glass has a slender, slightly flared silhouette, with a narrow neck. Description: • Material: Blown glass with an iridescence with changing reflections. • Shape: Cylindrical bottle with a slightly domed base and finely stretched neck, typical of the balsam jars of the time. • Iridescence: Magnificent iridescence of natural origin, caused by the slow decomposition of the glass and the conditions of its burial, offering shades ranging from blue to violet. Usage: Balsam jars were essential containers in beauty and hygiene rituals or during religious ceremonies. They were also frequently used as funeral offerings, accompanying the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. • Condition: (Intact) Some visible superficial signs of wear, but the object is in a remarkable state of preservation, with a patina that accentuates its historical character. Dimensions: • Height: 11 cm • Diameter of the domed body: 3.5 cm • Diameter of the opening: 1.8 cm ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY!