Presented in this lot are three (3) Roman Period Terracotta Unguentariums, circa 1st century BC-1st century AD. Provenance: Private collection Big Sky, Montana. An unguentarium, also referred to as Balsamarium, Lacrimarium or tears vessel, is a small ceramic or glass bottle found frequently by archaeologists at Hellenistic and Roman sites, especially in cemeteries. An unguentarium is a small bottle used for ointments, perfumes, balms, and other liquids associated with the toilet. Vessels typically have a bulbous bottom and narrow, tubular neck, but lack handles. Bulbous-bottomed, glass unguentaria were one of the earliest shapes to be made using the glassblowing technique. The term unguentarium is functional rather than descriptive; that is, it refers to the purpose for which this relatively small vessel is thought to have been used and is not typological by shape. In its early development, the shape was modeled in miniature after larger amphoras, which would have been the original bulk shipping containers for products sold in the unguentaria. Unguentaria were used as product packaging in commerce and for funerary practice. They are distributed throughout the Mediterranean region of the Roman Empire from Israel to Spain and north into Britain and Germania. Their manufacture was nearly as widespread. It has been suggested that products shipped in bulk containers were dispensed for sale in these smaller vessels. Perfumed oils, ointments, balsam, jasmine, kohl, honey, mastic, incense, and scent powders and cosmetic preparations are among the contents proposed by scholars or evidenced by archaeology. These terracotta vessels are nicely preserved, with earthen and mineral deposits. Small chips noted. Shorter vessel mouth exhibits damage and repairs, no other obvious marring noted. Tallest measures 6.5"H, middle one is 5.75"H and shortest one is 3.25"H. Total combined weight approximate 8oz.