Ointmentary. Rome, 1st-2nd century AD.

Ointmentary. Rome, 1st-2nd century AD.
Glass. With iridescence.
In good state of preservation.
Measurements: 14 cm (height).
Piece of feminine toilet with a spherical body with a flat base, high neck and flat-lipped mouth. It is a genuine example of a transparent blown glass ointment jar from the Roman-Imperial period, which was used to contain and preserve ointments, essences or perfumes for women's body use, and which later became part of its owner's funerary trousseau. The high, narrow neck and the flat, wide lip were used to retain and thus prevent the loss of the face and essence.
The use of glass began to become widespread from the 1st century AD, following the discovery of the blowing technique around 40 BC, in the eastern part of the Mediterranean coast. This technique was a major revolution and spread rapidly. Blown glass offered great advantages over other materials because it did not change the taste of the food it contained and was more impermeable than terracotta. In addition, the blowing technique made it possible to produce pieces in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and also to produce them more quickly. On the other hand, glass pieces were easier to clean, so it soon became the favourite material for domestic use.