Alabastron (Container for Scented Oil)

Description

Initially affordable among only the wealthy, glass was used widely in the Roman world to create a variety of everyday objects such as those displayed here, including delicate cosmetic containers that held perfumes and oils and various forms of tableware designed for serving food and drink. Glass was also used to imitate precious stones in jewelry.

Provenance

Veser & co., Jerusalem; sold to Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson, Chicago, 1924; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1943.

Alabastron (Container for Scented Oil)

Ancient Roman

1st century

Accession Number

49051

Medium

Glass, blown technique

Dimensions

20.7 × 3.3 × 3.3 cm (8 1/8 × 1 1/4 × 1 1/4 in.)

Classification

container

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson