Alabastron (Container for Scented Oil)

INV-4332

Eastern Mediterranean

late 6th-early 3rd century BCE

ancientcontaineralabastron

Date

late 6th-early 3rd century BCE

Medium

Glass, core-formed technique

Dimensions

10.4 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm (4 1/8 × 1 × 1 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson

The flaring rims of these alabastra functioned as applicators to spread the thick, scented oil over the skin. The vessels themselves fit comfortably in the user's hand.

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