Hollow glass vessels such as this example were formed by trailing molten glass on a removable core of a desired shape. While hot, the surface of the vessel was smoothed (marvering). The everted rim, handles, and knob base were applied and tooled. After the core was removed, the vessel was allowed to anneal (gradual cooling). This technique was common until the invention of glass blowpipe in Syria was introduced to in the Roman Empire in the early 1st century AD. The shape of this vessel resembles, albeit much smaller, the Greek terracotta amphora (used mostly for storage) and probably served as a container for perfumed oils or unguents.