Three glass unguentaria of elongated type have recently been purchased by Marmaris Museum from a local dealer. Though their findspot is unknown, the unguentaria must have been found together, probably in the same tomb context as they share very similar dimensions, forms and glass characteristics (Fig la-b, 2a-b, 3a-b; cat. no. 1-3).
Glass unguentaria (especially tubular and candlestick types) became one of the most common among all vessel types soon after the invention of glassblowing in ca 25 B.C.[1] They were mainly containers for scented oils, perfumes, ointments, i.e. “unguents”[2]. Unguentaria can be regarded as the blown counterparts of earlier core-formed glass containers (aryballoi, alabastra, amphoriskoi or oinochoai).They were simple but mass-produced items showing a wide distribution both in the western and eastern provinces of the Roman Empire.
According to the Roman beliefs about the afterlife, there was a certain “attempt to make the dead feel at home in the tomb”[3]. That should be one of the reasons for the existence of glass unguentaria in graves. On the other hand, another reason for their presence in burials was explained as “to create sweet smells” in tombs[4].
Elongated unguentaria with their pointed, solid toes were completely unable to stand. In this case, they must have functioned not only to keep but to “carry” unguents as well. Even today, the tradition of non-standing perfume flasks seems to still exist (fig. 4). On a wall painting from Villa Farnesina in Rome, a girl pouring perfumes had been depicted (fig. 5)[5]. The flask she holds in her left hand can easily be an elongated unguentarium.On another wall painting from a tomb at Marlupo, there is a group of the same type of glass unguentaria placed within a larger silver bowl (fig. 6)[6]. These may show the frequency of the type in Roman everyday life. Elongated versions, like the other types of glass unguentaria, were also modest, yet elegant grave gifts. The excellent state of preservation of the Marmaris examples suggests that they were found in a grave context rather than the living quarters of a settlement.
According to Isings, elongated unguentaria (Form 9-a) are rather rare, but she gives a list of recorded specimens from western findspots[7]. This type is not as frequent as tubular or candlestick unguentaria, yet today there are more recorded examples both from the east and west. Unfortunately, many of them are without known provenances[8].
Recorded examples from the east come from Cyprus[9], Cautat (Epidaurum) in Croatia[10] and perhaps from Syro-Palestian area[11]. In particular, the Epidaurum unguentarium has a close resemblance to those from Marmaris (fig. 7).
A couple of examples of elongated unguentaria have been recorded in Asia Minor. There is one unguentarium of this type with its rim missing in Afyon Museum’s collection of glass[12]. Its exact findspot is unknown, but should surely be in Asia Minor. Another specimen is in Istanbul, in the collection of Turkish Glassware Industries Co. (fig. 8)[13]. Again, in Istanbul in the collection of Sadberk Hamm Museum, there are three examples of the same type[14]. In Staadichen Museum in Berlin, there is another one. Its provenance was recorded as Asia Minor[15]. Both have some differences from the Marmaris examples. Unlike the Marmaris unguentaria, they do not have constriction at the base of neck. Unguentarium in the Collection of the Turkish Glassware Industries Co.was made of brightly coloured blue glass, which is typical for the early imperial period. The unguentaria in Sadberk Hanim Museum Collection also have glass thread and band decoration. Despite these differences, along with the Marmaris examples, it is still possible to consider all these unguentaria as the versions of same general type (Isings Form 9-a).
All recorded examples of the elongated unguentaria dated to the 1st or early 2nd century A.D. At this is the time glassblowing practice became a commercial activity and turned into an “empire-wide enterprise” rather than a local Syro-Palestinian craft[16].
It is usually accepted that the western glass centers had more advanced products compared with the east in this period[17]. Though less elegant in respect to shape and decoration, it is still possible to identify many of the technical and artistic fashions in glass products of the east as well.
Within this framework, the three elongated unguentaria in Marmaris Museum must be regarded as modest (they do not bear any decoration, they were made of natural, uncloured glass) eastern examples of a type which was well-known and produced in the west either.
CATALOGUE
1. Mannaris Museum Inv. No.: 9.10.99
Fig. I a-b
height: 9.5 cm.; diameter (rim): 2 cm.
Natural green glass, rainbow and brown iridescence and weathering on the surface.
Rim folded inwards and flattened, cylindrical neck with constriction at base, bulbous body, drop-shaped, solid base.
Freeblown.
No decoration.
2. Marmaris Museum Inv. No.: 9.11.99
Fig. 2 a-b
height: 9.5 cm.; diameter (rim): 2 cm.
Natural green glass, rainbow and brown iridescence on the inner and outer surfaces.
Rim folded inwards and flattened, cylindrical neck with constriction at base, bulbous body, drop-shaped, solid base.
Freeblown.
No decoration.
3. Marmaris Museum Inv. No.: 9.12.99
Fig. 3 a-b
height: 10.5 cm.; diameter (rim): 2 cm.
Natural green glass, rainbow, yellow, brown iridescence and weathering on surface.
Rim folded inwards and flattened, cylindrical neck with constriction at base, bulbous body, drop-shaped, solid base.
Freeblown.
No decoration.
