BALSAMAIRE Blue-green glass H. 9 .5 x Diam. 7.7 cm ( 3 ³/4 x Diam. 3 inches) Eastern Mediterranean, 1st-3rd century Provenance European collection, acquired on the English art market in the 1990s A small blown glass balsam jar with a squat globular shape topped by a short cylindrical neck ending in a slightly thickened flared lip. The glass, which was probably originally light blue-green, has now been spectacularly altered, with a pearly iridescence with silver, gold and bluish highlights, as well as significant beige and whitish mineral concretions, indicating that it has been buried for a long time. The rounded body rests on a slightly flattened base. A Roman Eastern Mediterranean Blown Glass Balsamarium. 1st-3rd century A.D. Small balsamarium in blown glass, of squat globular form topped with a short cylindrical neck ending in a slightly thickened flared rim. The glass, originally probably light blue-green, now presents spectacular alteration with pearly iridescence showing silvery, golden, and bluish reflections, as well as significant beige and whitish mineral concretions indicating long burial. The rounded body rests on a slightly flattened base.