Greece, Archaic Period, ca. 6th century BCE. A gorgeous marbled stone alabastron, carved in two pieces, with a detachable rim and spout that fits tightly into the neck. The body is tapered and tear-drop-shaped. The artist has taken advantage of the natural lines of the alabaster to highlight and accentuate a curved, marbled exterior with varied bands of creamy white, beige, and earthier brown. Twin tiny handles project from the sides of the upper body. The body of the piece has slight translucence when held up to the light. Size: 2.6" W x 6.55" H (6.6 cm x 16.6 cm)

Alabastra are long-bodied vessels with flat disks for the mouth. The shape was common in Corinth, and came to Athens in the sixth century BCE - this is an early example of one of these. The term alabastron is Greek with Egyptian origins, and many of the oldest examples are painted white, perhaps in imitation of the stone. Alabastra were used to hold perfumed oil; in fact, scenes on painted vases show women using them to apply it after bathing.

Provenance: ex-private East Coast, USA collection

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#121214

Excellent and intact, with small areas of encrustation