Perfume Bottle (Alabastron)

Perfume Bottle (Alabastron)

c. 325–275 BC

Glass

Diameter: 5.1 cm (2 in.); Overall: 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1994.9

Location

Description

Before glassblowing was invented in about 50 BC, glass bottles were formed by winding molten glass around a mud or dung core much the way cotton candy is wrapped around a paper cone. Later, the core was scraped out leaving a hollow bottle to be filled with expensive perfumes or scented oils.

See also
Collection: 
GR - Etruscan
Department: 
Greek and Roman Art
Type of artwork: 
Glass
Medium: 
Glass

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