Alabastron (Container for Scented Oil)
Ancient Eastern Mediterranean
late 6th-early 3rd century BCE
Medium
Glass, core-formed technique
Dimensions
12.8 × 3.3 × 3.2 cm (5 × 1 1/4 × 1 1/4 in.)
Classification
container
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43373
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
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.