Globular bottle. Rome, 1st–2nd century A.D.

Globular bottle. Rome, 1st–2nd century AD.
Blown glass with iridescent effects.
The neck is broken.
Measurements: 15 x 10 cm.
This bottle is made of yellow-tinted blown glass with iridescent effects on the surface. It features a globular body and a cylindrical neck adorned with a band that runs around the circumference of the bottle. This vessel was intended to hold ointments, perfumes, and essences, which were part of a woman’s toiletries set (“gynaeceum”).
The use of glass began to become widespread starting in the 1st century CE, following the discovery of the glassblowing technique around 40 BCE along the eastern Mediterranean coast. This technique represented a major revolution and spread rapidly. Blown glass offered significant advantages over other materials because it did not alter the taste of the food it contained and was more impermeable than terracotta. Furthermore, the glassblowing technique allowed for the production of pieces in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as well as faster production. Furthermore, glass pieces were easier to clean, so glass soon became the preferred material for household use.