Ancient Roman Glass Archives - Biblical Antiquities from Jerusalem

Glass according to the historian, Pliny. Ancient Roman glass was discovered by a party of Phoenician seamen who set anchor near the mouth of the Belus river on the coast of Israel. As they cooked a pot of soup over some natron bricks, they noticed the sand and the natron melting and fusing into a liquid beneath the fire. Although the story is likely a mythical legend, it may bear a grain of truth, since sand from the coast in the area of the Belus river was considered ideal for making glass.

The invention of glass occurred as early as the late 16^th century BC in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Sand, soda, and lime heated together in a furnace produce a thick fluid which hardens when cooled. Originally glass was used to form solid beads and pendants, but eventually, glassmakers realized that they could wrap molten glass around a vessel-shaped core, which they removed once the glass hardened. Later, glassmakers poured molten glass into molds to form vessels.

During the first century BC, the technique of Roman glass blowing emerged. The Roman glassmaker would dip the end of a hollow metal pipe into molten glass, gathering a gob of the material on the end of the pipe. He then would blow air through the pipe to create a bubble. Tongs were used to pinch and form the vessel as well as to add handles and decorations. A heavy metal rod, known as a pontil, was used to separate the vessel from the blowpipe.

Two of the earliest known workshops that employed the technique were located in Jerusalem and in the region of Galilee. Glassblowing enabled glassmakers to produce large quantities of glass vessels quickly. It also facilitated the production of a wider variety of vessels. With the invention of glassblowing, Roman glass vessels became widely popular. Vessel types from the end of the first century BC and the first century AD include bowls, beakers, jugs, bottles, and perfume flasks.

Roman glass vessels were produced in a variety of colors based on the local materials available. Most vessels produced in the Holy Land are pale blue or green, although purple and clear vessels also exist. Early sources suggest that clear glass was considered to be more valuable than tinted glass. Occasionally cobalt blue vessels come to light in archaeological excavations, but these are almost certainly imported vessels and not locally made.

In addition to the color of the glass, Vessels typically feature an iridescent coating, which reflects a variety of colors. This coating, known as a patina, is the result of mineral buildup that occurred over the centuries.

Tear bottles are a unique vessel type with a corresponding tradition. It is said that every time a young woman cried, she would collect her tears in a bottle. Over time, the tears would accumulate in the bottle. As part of her wedding ceremony, the young woman would present her bottle of tears to her new husband, entrusting him with the safekeeping of her emotions. The tradition of collecting tears goes back to first temple times. The psalmist, David, wrote,

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.

Glass in the Roman period had many uses in the first century that we can also read about in the New Testament. Here in Gethsemane, Jesus asks God the Father “Would you take this cup away from me”.

Jars, vases, flasks, anointment bottles and other home-wares had multiple uses by the rich in the Roman period.

Items such as tear bottles that were used to collect tears for memories, was tradition among the Patricians of the Roman empire.

Roman glass for sale to a collectible that is increasing in value as time passes and makes a wonderful heirloom. This beautiful glass was made 2000 years ago and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

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Showing 1–12 of 21 results

Ancient Roman Glass Bracelet from Time of Jesus

Roman Period bracelet made of glass.

• Height: 0.27″ / 0.7 cm.
• Diameter: 3″ / 7.6 cm.
• Discovered in Jerusalem.

The most common natural colors of the glass are blue and green. This is how the glass was first created, and is due to the natural minerals in the sand used during process.

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Byzantine Glass Perfume Bottle – Ancient Bulbous Body Jar
4th century Ancient Byzantine glass perfume bottle discovered in Israel.

Byzantine glass jar.

Ancient perfume bottle.

Beautiful natural green patina.

Bulbous body with marked.

Certificate of authenticity included.

Registered with the Israel Antiquities Authority – Number: 641
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$740.00
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Four Handled Roman Glass Bottle Blue Green Patina
Roman glass perfume jar used during the 2nd century A.D.

Excellent Condition Vase.

Roman Glass Perfume Jar.

Found in Jerusalem.

Height: 4.2″ width 3″ inch.

Certificate of authenticity.
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$2,450.00
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Roman Ancient Glass Inkwell – Discovered in Jerusalem
Roman inkwell material glass first century A.D.

Ancient Roman glass bottle.

Ancient Inkwell found in Jerusalem.

Dark blue color XF patina.

Glass from Jesus time.

Weight: 35 grams – Height: 2.9″

certificate of authenticity included.
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$1,300.00
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Roman Ancient Glass Jar – Found in Jerusalem
Roman glass perfume jar from the second century

Ancient glass from Israel.

Roman period perfume jar.

Height 6″ inches.

First century AD.

Certificate of authenticity included.
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$750.00
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Roman Glass Balsamarium Three Handle Double Flask (kohl tube)
Balsamarium Roman Glass Kohl Tube Jar found in Israel

Roman glass basket handle and decorated body.

Translucent Roman Kohl tube two side handles.

Translucent blue color XF patina height 6.5″.

Glass from 1st / 3rd century weight 59 grams.

Certificate of authenticity and a stand included.
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$1,250.00
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Roman Glass Bottle – Ancient Tear Catcher from Jerusalem
Roman Glass Tear Catcher Jesus Time found in Jerusalem.

First Century glass bottle.

Fully covered with blue gold patina.

Four inches tear shape LACHRYMATORY.

Ancient Roman glass found in Israel.

Certificate of authenticity included.
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$430.00
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Roman Glass Cylindrical Bottle – Discovered in Jerusalem
Brown and green Roman glass large cylindrical bottle.

Cylindrical green Roman glass.

Height: 10″ / width 3.2″ inch.

2nd century ancient glass.

Found in Israel.

Certificate of authenticity.
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$3,800.00
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Roman Glass Jar used for Ointment – Found in Samaria

Ancient Roman glass ointment jar

Authentic ointment container from the 3rd century A.D. (Roman Period).

Discovered in the Jezreel Valley in Israel.

A very rare and unique jar with handle.

light blue color with a handle

Feel free to ask for more information zakshop24@gmail.com

Comes with a certificate of authenticity and all required documents for export approval.

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$1,900.00
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Roman Glass Perfume Brown Bottle – Discovered in Beit Shean
Ancient Roman Period Brown perfume bottle.

brownish color with a good patina.

Height: 4″ inches.

Roman period 1st / 3rd century AD.

Includes a certificate of authenticity.
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$1,800.00
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Roman Glass Perfume Jar – First Century Artifact from Jerusalem
Roman Period Ancient Glass Perfume Bottle.

Roman glass perfume bottle.

1st century Jesus time.

9″ inches high

Nice color ‘patina’

certificate of authenticity included.
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$800.00
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Roman Glass Perfume Kohl Flask – Found in Jerusalem
Ancient Roman Double Glass Perfume Jar from the time of Jesus.

Blue color balsamarium.

Height 12 cm.

Good Condition.

Found in Jerusalem.
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$950.00
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