Ancient Resource: Ancient Holy Land Glass Tear-Vials

When a person died in ancient Judaea, mourners would leave a glass vial filled with their tears
in their loved one's tomb. Often they would use Roman glass unguent bottles such as these.

Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A delicate pale green glass unguentarium, with small bell-shaped body and indented bottom, the neck very tall and narrow with flared mouth. Intact, with moderate Holy Land earthen surface deposits. H: 5 inches (12.7 cm). Eggshell-thin glass, an absolute marvel of preservation for nearly 2,000 years! Ex Baidun Gallery, Israel; Ex Johnson collection, OH. #AR3419: $350

Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A beautiful glass "tear vial" bottle. A light blue glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck, the mouth flared with outward folded rim. Nice light blue color with light irridescence and deposits. H: 3 1/2" (9 cm). Ex New York City private collection. *Does not have a stand, this temporary stand was used for photography purposes only. #GL2055: $299 SOLD

Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A nice glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with outward folded rim. Nice light blue-green color with light deposits and nice iridescence. H: 12.2 cm (4 3/4"). The constricted indentation at the base of the neck is where a string could be tied, holding a cork or lid atop the bottle in ancient times. I have seen one or two examples in my career with this cap and string still in place, they are usually long lost to history. Ex Westlake Village, CA collection. #AR3291: $425 SOLD

Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A delicate light blue-green glass unguentarium, with small bell-shaped body and indented bottom, the neck very tall and narrow with flared mouth. Intact, with light Holy Land earthen surface deposits. H: 5 1/8” (13 cm). Eggshell-thin glass, an absolute marvel of preservation for nearly 2,000 years! Ex Baidun Gallery, Israel; Ex Johnson collection, OH. #AR3420: $375

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Biblical Judaea, early 1st century AD. Large glass tear-vial. Lovely irridescent green patina. 108 mm (4 1/4 in.) tall! #2639: $385 SOLD Biblical Judaea, c. 1st century BC / 1st century AD. Large glass tear-vial. Excellent irridescent sandy-green coloration. 105 mm (4 inches) tall! #6320: $299 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Tall glass tear-vial or unguentarium. Of narrow construction with pinch ridge at the base of the neck for fastening a stopper. Pale yellow glass. H: 5" (12.7 cm). Intact, light earthen deposits. Nice yellow tone with blue/green at the base. #272110: $299 SOLD Roman Purple glass vessel. Shipwreck find! Holy Land, Roman period, 1st Century AD. Excellent purple glass "tear vial" bottle. Swirling colors of purple and green... quite amazing. The neck tapers down to a larger, rounded body and flat bottom. 4 3/4" (12.3cm). Intact, mounted on nice custom stand. Believed to have come from an ancient ship-wreck in the Mediterranean near Kreta. Ex-Danish collection formed in the 1970's. #GL2006: $599 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Beautiful light blue glass "tear vial" bottle. Excellent blue color with nice iridescence, the neck tapering down with slight constriction to a larger, rounded body and flat bottom. Intact with some light earthen deposits. 4 3/4" (12.3cm). Mounted on nice custom stand. Ex Jeff Sahadi collection. #GL2003: $550 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Lovely light green glass "tear vial" bottle. With an ovoid body, tall neck, and uneven rim. A light coat of ancient dirt on interior and exterior. lovely iridescence on the exposed areas. 3 1/4" (80 mm). Ex South Yorkshire, England private collection. Mounted on nice custom stand. #GL2008: $399 SOLD Roman Holy Land, c. 1st Century AD. Lovely Roman deep green glass "tear vial" bottle. With an elongated body, tall tubular neck and flatted mouth with inward folded rim. A light golden iridescence with flashes of multicolor throughout. H: 4 1/2" (11.4 cm). Custom lucite stand. Cf. Newark p. 211, no. 403; Yale, p. 29, no. 80 for a near identical example in a different color. Ex collection of Dr. Michael A Telson. #GL2022: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Fantastic glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue-green glass unguentarium with long tubular neck and flared rim. Intact with gorgeous iridescence in colors of green, blue, orange, yellow and purple. H: 4 3/8" (11.2 cm). From the Herbert B. Stearns Collection; ex-CNG. #GL2029: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Small glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue-green glass unguentarium with long tubular neck with crease for fastening the stopper. H: 3 1/16" (7.7 cm). Very well preserved with light iridescence and sandy deposits on the inside and outside. From the Herbert B. Stearns Collection; ex-CNG. #GL2032: $225 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A lovely glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue-green glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice blue-green color with heavy earthen deposits. H: 8 cm (3 1/4"). ex-Brauns collection, Santa Monica, CA, part of a collection purchased from old dealers in Israel in the 70's and 80's. #GL2049: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A lovely glass "tear vial" bottle. A yellow glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Deep yellow color with purplish and silvery iridescence, heavy earthen deposits. H: 10cm (3 7/8"). ex-Brauns collection, Santa Monica, CA, part of a collection purchased from old dealers in Israel in the 70's and 80's. #GL2050: $375 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Nice yellow glass "tear vial" bottle. H: 86 mm (3 3/8"), with light silvery iridescence. ex-Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hamilton Carr collection, purchased in 1967-1968. #AR2750: $250 SOLD	Nice large light blue-green glass flask, 1st-2nd century AD, found in Jerusalem! Top of spout still clogged up with Jerusalem earth. Likely dustified remains of the original contents still inside! Stands on its own, 144 mm (5 1/2") tall! Still covered with earthen deposits. Very interesting piece! Ex-Hamedian Galleries, Old City, Jerusalem. #8122: $350 SOLD Biblical Judaea. 1st century BC - 1st century AD. Glass "tear vial." Lovely irridescent sandy egshell patina, delicate, graceful curves and twisted spout. Small hairline fracture on one side. Measures 78 mm. #2610: $135 SOLD Biblical Judaea, c. 1st century BC / 1st century AD. Tall glass tear-vial. Lovely irridescent patina. Delicate, tapering form. Completely intact! Stands 122 mm (4 3/4") tall! Great display piece. #5764: $325 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, 1st century BC - 1st century AD. Large glass "tear-vial". Stunning purple to blue coloration with attractive irridescence overall. Expertly repaired at break at bottom of neck, doesn't detract from the beauty of this stunning piece! 138 mm (5 3/8") tall, with some earthen encrustation. Ex-Boston Museum of Fine Arts, deaccession. #gl0075: $299 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Beautiful light blue glass "tear vial" bottle. Nice color with great iridescence, with round body and indented base, the neck tubular with flattened rim folded inward. Intact with some light earthen deposits. 4 1/2" (116 mm). Mounted on nice custom stand. ex-Los Angeles, CA private collection. N2CC. #GL2014: SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Lovely blue glass "tear vial" bottle. Nice blue color with fantastic iridescence, with piriform body and indented base, flattened rim. 88 mm (3 1/2"). Ex South London private collection. Beautiful piece... much nicer in-hand. #GL2010: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Small glass "tear vial" bottle. A light blue glass unguentarium with long tubular neck with crease for fastening the stopper. H: 2 7/8" (7.3 cm). Very well preserved with light deposits. From the Herbert B. Stearns Collection; ex-CNG. #GL2031: $225 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. A beautiful small glass "tear vial" bottle. The ovoid body with lightly indented base, long cylindrical neck and flared mouth with inward folded rim. H: 2 1/2" (6.4 cm). Well-preserved with marvelous iridescence. Ex C & L Diland, purchased Nov, 1972. #GL2028: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Fantastic glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue-green glass unguentarium with long tubular neck with crease for fastening the stopper. H: 4 3/4" (12.1 cm). Very well preserved with light deposits and gorgeous iridescence which ranges from light blue green to almost purple. ex-Superior Stamp & Coin (Sept. 1977), lot A25. #GL2036: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A gorgeous glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice light blue color with light deposits. Old museum or collection number inked in red on base. H: 10.8 cm (4 1/4"). ex-Brauns collection, Santa Monica, CA, part of a collection purchased from old dealers in Israel in the 70's and 80's. #GL2046: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A gorgeous small glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice light blue color with light deposits. H: 5.4 cm (2 1/8"), museum putty on base for stabilization on a shelf (can be removed). ex-Brauns collection, Santa Monica, CA, part of a collection purchased from old dealers in Israel in the 70's and 80's. #GL2048: $275 SOLD	Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Beautiful blue-green glass "tear vial". Completely intact, with nice earthen encrustation and attractive iridescence. 98 mm (3 7/8") tall. #901262: $285 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st - 2nd Century AD. Interesting glass tear-vial with pear-shaped body and tubular neck with flared mouth. A pinched groove at the base of the neck pinched to fasten the stopper. H: 4 1/4" (106 mm). Light blue-green glass. Intact with a few minor age cracks and earthen deposits. Great character! #272112: $275 SOLD Biblical Judaea. Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st-2nd century AD. Nice light blue-green glass "tear vial" bottle with light iridescence and some earthen deposits. H: 4" (10.2 cm). Intact. Ex Royal Athena Galleries, New York. #GL2001: $325 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Lovely light blue/green glass "tear vial" bottle. With nice iridescence, the neck tapers down to a larger, rounded body and flat bottom. Intact with some light earthen deposits. 3 7/8" (10 cm). Mounted on nice custom stand. ex-North Yorkshire England private collection. #GL2005: $475 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Excellent blue glass "tear vial" bottle. Gorgeous color with great iridescence. Long and tubular with pear-shaped body and flat base, slight constriction to neck, the mouth flattened with inward folded rim. Intact with some light earthen deposits. 5 3/8" (137 mm). Mounted on nice custom stand. Ex Philadelphia private collection. #GL2013: $550 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, c. 1st – 2nd Century AD. Nice glass "tear vial" bottle. A light blue-green glass unguentarium with long tubular neck and flared rim. H: 3 7/8" (9.8 cm). Good multicolored iridescence, light deposits on the surfaces. Mounted on custom plexi stand. From the Herbert B. Stearns Collection; ex-CNG. #GL2030: $299 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. Gorgeous and tall light blue glass "tear vial" bottle. Nice color with great iridescence, with round body and indented base, the neck tubular with flattened rim folded inward. Stands 152 mm (just under 6") tall. Small loss to top and tiny 3mm hole toward bottom of body, otherwise intact with some light earthen deposits. ex-I.M. Chait Galleries; ex-Los Angeles, CA private collection. #GL2002: $375 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. Incredible glass "tear vial" bottle. A blue glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice purplish-blue color with multicolored iridescence and light deposits. H: 11 cm (4 3/8"). Ex Private Washington DC collection; Ex property of a former Virginia based antiquities dealer purchased in the USA prior to 1982. Absolutely gorgeous! #GL2051: $450 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A lovely tall glass "tear vial" bottle. A yellow glass unguentarium, the piriform body with flattened base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice pale yellow color with light deposits. H: 5" (12.8 cm). Ex Seattle, WA private collection. #GL2037: $299 SOLD Holy Land, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD. A beautiful small yellow glass "tear vial" bottle. With lightly constricted neck and flat rim, very nice iridescence and light deposits. H: 5" (12.8 cm). Ex Joel L. Malter, purchased June 1977. Lovely piece... unfortunately a very washed-out photo. #GL2027: $399 SOLD Holy Land. Roman period, 1st – 2nd Century AD. A nice glass "tear vial" bottle. A yellow glass unguentarium, the piriform body with rounded base, long cylindrical neck with constricted base, the mouth flared with inward folded rim. Nice pale yellow color with light deposits. Old museum or collection number inked in red on base. H: 9.5 cm (3 3/4"). ex-Brauns collection, Santa Monica, CA, part of a collection purchased from old dealers in Israel in the 70's and 80's. #GL2047: $375 SOLD