300-450 AD. Late Roman. Roman yellowish-green glass vessel with flaring rim, short spout, cylindrical neck, globular body, and applied strap handle; the body is covered in a mould-blown net pattern. Glass was a major manufacturing industry in the Roman Empire, especially after the invention of glassblowing in the middle of the first century BC, when glass became used for a variety of purposes including vessels, jewellery and construction materials such as glass or tiles. Roman glassmaking reached the farthest corners of the Empire and flourished until about 400 AD, when the Roman Empire started to disintegrate, finally falling in the late 5th century AD. Vessels would probably have been used for perfumes, oils (used as soap) and/or medicines in antiquity. Good condition; on a custom-made stand.Size: L:145mm / W:110mm ; 345g; Provenance: Important London collection of Ancient art; formed in 1970s then passed by descent.