C. 300-400 AD. Late Roman. A jar in a pale yellowish-green fabric with a flaring rim and neck with decorative trail, flaring shoulder, globular body and flattened base. Circular patches of intended decoration appear on the body. 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. Excellent condition; beautiful patina.Size: L:93mm / W:97mm ; 49.3g; Provenance: Property of a London gallery, previously in old British collection formed in the 1980s.