Phoenician alabastron, 6th-5th century BC.

Phoenician alabastron, 6th-5th century BC.
Alabaster.
Provenance: European Private Collection.
Measurements: 22 x 8 x 8 cm.

The piece we are now bidding on is a Phoenician alabastron, a type of ancient vessel used to contain perfumed oils or ointments. These vessels, often made of alabaster, a compact and translucent stone, were highly valued in the ancient Mediterranean. Our specimen is distinguished by its rounded and precise forms, with a perfectly defined upper mouth. It is decorated with double incised lines on its body. As usual in the alabastron vase typology, it has an ellipsoidal body, slightly elongated and with a rounded base, a narrow neck (to pour its contents drop by drop) and a wide mouth to allow the application of the oil on the skin. It has no handles.