Alabaster Alabastron (Oil Flask) from Rhodes

Archaic
600 BCE - 500 BCE

diameter at rim
6 1/16 x 2 1/16 x 2 1/16 in. (15.4 x 5.3 x 5.2 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• alabaster - Fine-grained marblelike variety of gypsum that is easy to carve but is rather fragile; it has been used as a sculpture material, ornamental building work, vases, small decorative carvings, and powdered for use as a paper filler and paint pigment called mineral white or terra alba. Alabaster is usually a translucent white or pink but may also be a muted red, yellow or gray. It is soft and can be scratched slightly with a fingernail. It also dissolves slowly in wet environments.
• alabastra - Small ancient Greek or Roman vessels for holding oils, ointments, or perfumes; usually elongated in form, almost cylindrical, and rounded at the bottom. Some footed examples also exist. They either have no handles or one small handle at the side. Alabastra are small enough to be held in one hand or it could be carried by a string looped around its narrow neck or passed through smal lugs on the shoulder. The shape originated in Egypt, where it was made in glass, faience, or alabaster (it takes its name from this stone).
• Rhodian - Refers to a style of Greek pottery painting that occurred on the island of Rhodes around 650 BCE. It is characterized by a spontaneous, free brush stroke and themes that often include animals. In some classification schemes it is a variation on the Wild Goat Style.
• toilettes - Term applied to a variety of French dressing tables designed for women.

• diameter at rim Dimensions: 6 1/16 x 2 1/16 x 2 1/16 in. (15.4 x 5.3 x 5.239 cm)