Alabastron

Description

These containers were originally crafted from alabaster, particularly the onyx-alabaster variety, which was commonly used for this purpose. However, it's uncertain whether the vessels were named after the material or if the material was named after the vessels. They can also be made from stone and terra-cotta, with other materials like glass and even gold (χρύσεια ἀλάβαστρα) being used as well.

Most types of alabastron have a narrow body with a rounded end, a narrow neck and a broad, splayed mouth. They were often left without handles, but some types were equipped with ear-shaped projections or lugs into which holes were punched. Strings were then put through these holes for easy mobility.

Later designs were made from glass decorated with various patterns, such as scallops, festoons, or abstract patterns of rings or zigzags.

Distribution

Around the 7th century BC, alabastra spread to Greece and became an important element of ancient Greek pottery. This spreading influence can be considered as part of the widely seen orientalizing phenomenon during this period. Lydia and Anatolia also played a big part in this type of production.

There were three distinct types of Greek alabastron:

• A basic Corinthian bulbous shape standing about 3–4 inches (76–102 mm) tall; a popular design found throughout Greece.
• A long and pointed version commonly seen in eastern Greek, Etruscan, and Italo-Corinthian pottery.
• An Attic type about 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long with a rounded base and lugs for carrying purposes.

Alabastra also appeared in many other places in the ancient world, notably Assyria, Syria and Palestine. Alabastra have been traded by Greek and Phoenician merchants as far as Italy and the western Mediterranean.

The production of glass varieties is well documented on the islands of Cyprus and Rhodes, where the Phoenician activities have been widely attested. In Lydia, legendary for its wealth of gold, precious metal Alabastra are known from the sixth century BC.

Greek artisans were producing elaborately decorated silver alabastra, long and narrow and 12–16 centimeters (4.7–6.3 in) in height. The decoration usually involved dividing the body of the vase into four horizontal zones by ornamental bands around it.

An alabastrotheca (ἀλαβαστροθήκη or ἀλαβαστοθήκη) was a box or casket for storing alabastra or a holder used to keep the bottles upright when not in use, as their rounded bottoms made them unable to stand on their own.

Notable examples

The quadrilingual "Caylus Vase of Xerxes" Alabastron with Egyptian hieroglyphs was famously used in the 19th century for deciphering ancient cuneiform scripts. Similar vases, found later, are the Jar of Xerxes I, and also the Yale Babylonian Collection Alabastron Vessel.

External sites

• Alabastron. University of Colorado Boulder