Roman juglet

ITEM: Juglet
MATERIAL: Glass
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 3rd - 4th Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 27 mm x 16 mm
CONDITION: Good condition, repaired
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, Ex German private colleciton R.B., acquired in 1979

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 4 to 6 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the amount of the sale, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman miniature glass jugs were finely crafted vessels that served both functional and symbolic purposes in daily life and ritual contexts. These small jugs, typically made using glassblowing techniques developed in the 1st century BCE, were produced in a variety of shapes and colors, often featuring delicate handles and thin-walled bodies. The transparency and elegance of glass made these vessels highly desirable, and they were often used to store precious liquids such as perfumes, scented oils, or medicinal substances. Their small size suggests that they were intended for personal use, possibly carried as part of a traveler’s belongings or placed on dressing tables in Roman households.

Beyond their domestic function, miniature glass jugs were frequently associated with funerary and religious practices. In burial contexts, they were commonly deposited as grave offerings, likely containing oils or perfumes meant to anoint the deceased in the afterlife. Their presence in sanctuaries and temples suggests they may have also been used in ritual libations or as votive offerings to the gods. Some examples bear decorative elements, such as molded ribs, applied trails, or iridescent surfaces resulting from centuries of burial, adding to their aesthetic and symbolic value.

These miniature vessels were produced across the Roman Empire, with notable centers of glassmaking in the eastern Mediterranean, Italy, and Gaul. Their widespread distribution indicates their popularity and the efficiency of Roman trade networks.