Ancient Roman Glass Bottle with Trailed Funnel Neck

A particularly attractive Roman blown-glass bottle, distinguished by its beautifully proportioned bulbous body and exceptionally long, slender neck, which opens into a broad funnel-shaped mouth.

The mouth is especially well worked. As the neck expands into the conical funnel, the exterior is ornamented with fine trails of applied glass wound horizontally around the cone, producing a series of subtle concentric bands. Above these, the mouth terminates in a substantial folded-over rim, formed by turning the hot glass back upon itself to create a rounded and strengthened lip. Together, the trailing and folded rim demonstrate the skill and control of the Roman glassmaker and give an otherwise restrained form considerable refinement.

The spherical body is gently flattened at the base with a shallow concavity. The glass has developed extensive ancient surface weathering and exceptionally attractive iridescence, particularly across the body, where areas of silver and gold are enlivened by flashes of violet, turquoise, blue and green. Remnants of archaeological encrustation remain across the surface, adding depth and character without obscuring the elegant blown form.

The simplicity of the globular body contrasts particularly well with the attenuated neck and carefully finished funnel mouth, creating a vessel of considerable sculptural presence.

Roman, circa 2nd–4th century AD
Blown glass with applied trailing
With extensive ancient iridescence and archaeological surface deposits.

Height 17, Diameter 9cm