Part One of an important American collection of Ancient Glass comes to Bonhams New Bond Street's Antiquities Sale on 6 July. The total for the collection is £92,400 with estimates for individual lots between £500-20,000. The collection - of which part two is on offer at Bonhams in November - encompasses the world of ancient glass, from Greek core-formed vessels from the Eastern Mediterranean dating to the 4th-2nd Century B.C. to Late Roman glass of the 5th Century A.D.

Head of Bonhams Antiquities Department, Francesca Hickin, said: "With so many shapes, colours and glass-making techniques represented, a collection such as this rarely comes to auction and naturally we are thrilled to be offering it. Of particular note is the Roman 'Victory' beaker from the 1st century A.D.. Even at the time of manufacture, production of this category of prestige glass was small and rare. You could have been collecting ancient glass for a very long time and never had the opportunity to buy a Victory beaker."

Writing on the 'Victory' beaker in the Bonhams Magazine article Join the party, Rachel Spence said: "made in amber glass – another prized hue – using the mould-blown technique, which sees hot glass blown into a mould carved with designs. The beaker is decorated with wreaths of the type used to crown winners in Roman games or possibly the drinking contests that were so popular among a people known for their bibulosity. Around its perimeter, a text declares 'Take the Victor". Its estimate is £20,000-30,000."

At its peak, glass infiltrated every aspect of Roman life. By the 1st century A.D., a glass drinking cup could be bought for a copper coin. Aristocratic women kept scents, cosmetics and oils in flasks and bottles. Jewellers used glass to mimic emeralds, sapphires and amethysts. As tableware, glass became indispensable. It was the staple of any well-dressed Roman Dining table, a symbol of prestige that can be seen in many frescos depicting the opulence of the Roman Feast. It is a myth that glass is more fragile than other materials. In fact, its resilience and excellent protective properties makes it perfect for storing and shipping goods, especially food. So good that a glass bottle found at Pompeii still contains the olive oil, now solidified, with which it was filled before the eruption. Curators who have removed the stopper say that even the smell remains.

Highlights from the collection include:

• A Roman blue-green glass lidded cinerary urn circa 1st-2nd Century A.D. Estimate: £8,000-12,000.
• A Roman pale grey-green glass animal-headed rhyton Circa 1st Century A.D. Estimate: £12,000-18,000
• A Roman blue-green glass ribbed bowl circa early 1st century A.D. Estimate: £5,000-7,000
• A Byzantine green glass hexagonal pitcher with Christian Symbols circa 5th-6th Century A.D. Estimate: £3,000-5,000.
• A Roman pale green glass jug with blue looped handle circa late 1st Century A.D. Estimate £1,200-1,800.