Phial, conical unguentarium

A phial made of natural blue glass. Good quality glass, with very few bubbles but with a large vertical rib-like imperfection on the body. Very slight weathering. Parts present: complete (rim, neck, body and base). Narrow rim, everted then folded in, leaving a very wide opening (18 mm); irregular profile, flat on one side, stepped on the other. Very short neck, with slight constriction. Base flat and slightly pushed up, with very faint pontil scar. Isings form 28a variant.
Part of cremation group (A14398-A14401) from the Roman cemetery at Bishopsgate, City of London. Glass bottles like this, in a variety of sizes, were often placed in burials as they may have contained either perfumed oil suitable for anointing the corpse, or a drink to accompany the deceased on their journey to the underworld. Food and drink from the funeral feast is also sometimes found in burials.