A Roman free blown jar in pale blue glass. The jar has a rounded rectangular body with four indentations, made with a tool; the rim splayed out to the diameter of the body, and standing on a flattened, base.
 
Roman eastern empire: 3rd century AD. (likely 200-250 AD.)
 
Complete and intact with areas of pretty iridescence, a light crust over parts of the body.
Height: 6.9 cms (2.7 ins).
 
See Plate E.112; Roman Glass; Reflections On Cultural Change: Stuart J. Flemming.
 
Purchased from UK collection of P.C. 1990-2010
 
According to Stuart Flemming this kind of vessel is quite identical to one found in a physician's grave in Cologne, Germany.
 
Such flasks are frequently at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries. Its most common use was probably as a container for the cosmetic oils and unguents, which were gathered from all corners of the extensive Roman empire.