Roman Glass Apothecary Vials or Phials
Small hand blown glass medicinal and perfume bottles have been in use for the past 2,000 years in the
European community. Among the earliest such bottles or vial that I have been able to document were the
Roman "unguentaria." These have sometimes been referred to as "teardrop bottles."
Ungentaria were used by the Roman peoples for trade, storage and transportation of fragrant oils, what we call
essential oils today. These fragrant oils would have been used in medicines, perfumes and in cooking. The
small glass vials were apparently made by the thousands from the 1st century (common era) with the advent of
glass blowing until around 500 CE with the decline of the Roman Empire.
From the classical writings it can be stated that the Romans were enthusiastic to the point of obsession about
fragrant oils. The medical texts of the day, including Celcus, Pliny the Elder and Galen refer to the use of such
distillates in medicants, unguants, salves and balms as well as for internal use. The classic herbal of Dioscorides
(Greek) describes the exotic imported herbs and spices as well as local ones which would have been extracted.
Some classical texts have asserted that the lavish expenditure on these fragrant oils and perfumes were
excessive to the point of ruination.
The ungentaria were produced in large quantities for use by the Romans. Because of the large number
produced and the stability of Roman glass, many of these specimens remain with us today. I am pleased to have
three examples of the ungentaria in my personal collection. They are used in public demos and for schools
when I set up the period distillation equipment.
Small hand blown glass medicinal and perfume bottles have been in use for the past 2,000 years in the
European community. Among the earliest such bottles or vial that I have been able to document were the
Roman "unguentaria." These have sometimes been referred to as "teardrop bottles."
Ungentaria were used by the Roman peoples for trade, storage and transportation of fragrant oils, what we call
essential oils today. These fragrant oils would have been used in medicines, perfumes and in cooking. The
small glass vials were apparently made by the thousands from the 1st century (common era) with the advent of
glass blowing until around 500 CE with the decline of the Roman Empire.
From the classical writings it can be stated that the Romans were enthusiastic to the point of obsession about
fragrant oils. The medical texts of the day, including Celcus, Pliny the Elder and Galen refer to the use of such
distillates in medicants, unguants, salves and balms as well as for internal use. The classic herbal of Dioscorides
(Greek) describes the exotic imported herbs and spices as well as local ones which would have been extracted.
Some classical texts have asserted that the lavish expenditure on these fragrant oils and perfumes were
excessive to the point of ruination.
The ungentaria were produced in large quantities for use by the Romans. Because of the large number
produced and the stability of Roman glass, many of these specimens remain with us today. I am pleased to have
three examples of the ungentaria in my personal collection. They are used in public demos and for schools
when I set up the period distillation equipment.
Roman Apothecary Vials
Unguentaria - used to trade, store and
transport fragrant oils
These vials or phials are from Fiachra's
personal collection
Unguentaria - used to trade, store and
transport fragrant oils
These vials or phials are from Fiachra's
personal collection