Roman flask

Roman flask
ITEM: Flask
MATERIAL: Glass
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 106 mm x 22 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Dutch private collection, acquired between 1980 - 1990

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman glass flasks, popular from the first century CE onward, showcase the ingenuity and skill of Roman glassmakers. Typically small and crafted from transparent or semi-transparent glass, these flasks were designed to hold precious liquids such as perfumes, oils, or medicines. Their delicate yet durable construction made them prized items, not only functional but also symbols of sophistication and wealth. The shapes of these flasks varied widely—some were simple and cylindrical, while others featured more complex, rounded, or tapered bodies. They were often sealed with a cork or cloth stopper to protect the valuable contents inside.

The techniques used to create Roman glass flasks evolved with advancements in glassblowing, a technique believed to have been developed in the eastern Mediterranean around the first century BCE. Glassblowing allowed for the production of thin-walled vessels in a wide variety of shapes, significantly reducing the time and labor involved in glass production. As a result, glass items, including flasks, became more affordable and widespread throughout the Roman Empire. Many flasks also incorporated decorative techniques, such as trail decoration, where thin strands of glass were applied to the vessel's surface in swirling or linear patterns. Colored glass and iridescent finishes, which often developed over time due to chemical reactions in burial environments, added to their appeal.

Roman glass flasks have been discovered across the empire, from the Middle East to Europe, indicating their popularity and the high demand for these versatile items.

Measurement:

2.2 x 10.6 cm