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Analabastron/ˌæləˈbæstrən,-ˌtrɒn/ oralabastrum/ˌæləˈbæstrəm/ (Ancient Greek:ἀλάβαστρον or ἀλάβαστος; plural:alabastra oralabastri (ἀλάβαστρα or ἀλάβαστα)) is a small tapering or pear-shaped vessel, having no feet, used for holdingperfumes ormassage oils.[1]
They originated around the 11th century BC inancient Egypt and spread viaancient Greece to other parts of the classical world.[citation needed]The first mention of such scent bottles comes fromHerodotus, who refers to a myrrh alabastron (μύρου ἀλάβαστρο) as one of the gifts sent by Cambyses to the king of Ethiopia.[1]
They were originally crafted fromalabaster, particularly the onyx-alabaster variety, which was commonly used for this purpose. However, it's uncertain whether the vessels were named after the material or if the material was named after the vessels.[1] They can also be made from stone and terra-cotta, with other materials like glass and even gold (χρύσεια ἀλάβαστρα) being used as well.[1]
Most types of alabastron have a narrow body with a rounded end, a narrow neck and a broad, splayed mouth. They were often left without handles, but some types were equipped with ear-shaped projections orlugs into which holes were punched. Strings were then put through these holes for easy mobility.
The design of the first Egyptian alabastra was inspired by thepalm tree,[citation needed] with a columnar shape, a palm capital and a stand. Later designs were made fromglass decorated with various patterns, such asscallops,festoons, or abstract patterns of rings or zigzags.
Around the 7th century BC, alabastra spread to Greece and became an important element ofancient Greek pottery. There were three distinct types of Greek alabastron:[citation needed]
Alabastra also appeared in many other places in the ancient world, notablyAssyria,Syria andPalestine,[2][3] all having presumably been inspired by or exported from Greece or Egypt.
Within a hundred years after arriving in the area,[where?] Greek artisans were producing elaborately decorated silver alabastra, long and narrow and 12–16 centimeters (4.7–6.3 in) in height. The decoration usually involved dividing the body of the vase into four horizontal zones by ornamental bands around it.
Analabastrotheca (ἀλαβαστροθήκη or ἀλαβαστοθήκη) was a box or casket for storing alabastra or a holder used to keep the bottles upright when not in use, as their rounded bottoms made them unable to stand on their own.[4]
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