Miniature Pillar Unguentarium
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"Pillar" Unguentarium 2019-08-15
Name/Title
Miniature "Pillar" UnguentariumEntry/Object ID
11NE-Mi61-197Description
The out-splayed rim is irregular. The cylindrical neck has a slight constriction and a tooled line at its junction with the body. The body is squat and the base is flat with a pontil mark. The vessel is intact with iridescence, encrustation, and a stable crack running the length of the vessel from the bottom of the rim to the top of the base.Use
Perfume VesselContext
This shape of vessel is an adaptation of the squat ointment pot that was characterized for its popularity since the mid-first century CE. The narrow mouths of unguentaria are thought to be suited to holding liquids such as water, wine, or even more viscous substances like oil or honey. However, with scientific analysis it has been found that unguentaria also stored pigments and pastes for cosmetic or medicinal purposes. They were also used to hold balms or perfumes. Ancient textual sources also indicate that unguentaria were used to hold dangerous substances (magical or toxic) for ritual purposes. However, their main purpose was to hold perfumes in everyday use or 'holy' oils for funerary rituals.Made/Created
Date made
100 CE - 300 CETime Period
Roman ImperialEthnography
Culture/Tribe
Near Eastern - Syro-Palestine