Roman Period Perfumed Oil Bottle 100 Bc To 100 Ad

Bottle with a globular body slightly curved in its center, topped with a small cylindrical neck ending in flat lips. The harmony of the proportions and the sobriety of the lines reflect the know-how of the glassmakers of the time. Made of blown glass, the object offers magnificent iridescence due to time, with purple, pearly and multi-colored reflections, changing according to the angle of the light. Good general condition of conservation (see photos). Roman period, 100 BC to 100 AD Dimensions: 6.1 x 6 cm Provenance: old Beaussant Lefebvre sale, Drouot, Paris. Sold with a certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes. Perfumes played an essential role in Roman society, embodying both refinement and social prestige. Imported from the eastern lands, flower essences, resins and spices were used in various contexts: body care, religious ceremonies or funeral rituals. This bottle, designed to preserve these precious substances, illustrates the technical innovation of blown glass, which appeared in the 1st century BC in the eastern provinces of the Empire. Both practical and aesthetic, this technique revolutionized the manufacture of containers, making them more accessible and elegant. The neat shapes and natural iridescence, revealed by the passage of time, testify to a concern for aesthetics and durability. This bottle is typical of the containers used to store and transport perfumed oils and ointments, essential to the daily life of the Roman elite.