The Ruth Martin glass collection provides 12 examples of unguentaria, which are small beakers used especially for storing scented oils and balms.
The class-type of these unguentaria bears closest resemblance to the piriforms group, or elongated teardrop beakers. They exhibit varying quantities of Cu, Pb and FeO to produce a range in colors, though their basic material composition is much like modern glass containing a majority of silca (in the form of sand) mixed with varying levels of soda (i.e. Na2CO3, NaHCO3, NaOH, Na2O).
Given the delicate design of these objects, as well as their limited volume, it is believed that the contents of these particular pieces would have been of significant value. Sizes vary throughout the assemblage (1.5” to 5“ height), though all pieces represented are thought to dated within the second half of the 1st century BC when this particular form becomes most prevalent throughout the Roman Empire. Learn more...
