Archaeological Museum of Bologna

It was in the mid-1st century BC that a glass-blowing technique developed in the Syria-Palestine area, later brought to the Roman world during the age of Augustus. The new method was a revolution in the field of glass making since the speed of the new manufacturing process made it possible to increase production rate so that more objects could be made and market prices brought down. Soon manufacturing areas multiplied, specializing in unguentaria and ampullae, common dishware and precious tableware. Glass tableware began to compete with earthenware and metal, not just for its low cost but also because it proved to be especially suited to preserving food and drink, apart from being appealing for its transparency and because it was easy to keep clean.

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Olla with lid
Ollae, mainly in common blown glass, developed in the Roman community as kitchen and larder containers for preserving liquids and food, but they were also used at table to serve fruit and other foods during banquets. Soon, however, they also began to be used as cinerary urns in the necropolis, which is where most surviving specimens have been found. They were widespread mainly in the western provinces and in the northern Italic area, in the period from the mid-1st to the 2nd century AD, and became rarer in the 3rd century AD, when the cremation rite began to disappear.

Provenance: Palagi Collection
Datation: Mid-1st–2nd century AD
Material: Blown green glass
Dimensions: h cm 23,5
Inventory #: Rom 92