“Alabastron”
Pronunciation: /ˌæləˈbæstrɒn/ (al-uh-BAS-tron)
Part of Speech: Noun
Quick Definition: A slender, usually tear-shaped or cylindrical vessel, primarily used in antiquity to hold scented oils.
General Use: “Due to its delicate design and valuable contents, the clay Alabastron was often a prized funerary offering in Greek burials. Consequently, many intact examples provide insight into ancient trade.”
The Corinthian Banding – Early Greek Alabastra from Corinth were characterized by monumental horizontal bands of decoration. These often contained miniature figures of animals or mythological scenes.
A Leaky Design – Unlike the subsequent Aryballos, the earliest Alabastron designs lacked a stable base and often had a less efficient opening. Its narrow, rimless form made it prone to spilling its expensive contents.
The Missing Handles – Most Alabastra were made without handles. Instead, small pierced lugs were used to thread a cord or chain. This allowed the vessel to be suspended from a user’s belt or wrist, making it highly portable.
Did you know?
The Alabastron was originally carved from the mineral alabaster in Egypt, which gave the vessel its name. This elegant form was then copied in glass, bronze, and, most commonly, painted clay throughout the Greek world. Furthermore, the oils it contained were often used for bathing, anointing the body after exercise, or in religious rituals.
Alabastron Definition (Primary Context)
The Alabastron is classified as a type of unguentarium (vessel for unguents). It typically has a narrow body that flares into a flat lip or rim and lacks a foot. The form is derived from Egyptian prototypes. The long, narrow shape was ideal for holding thick, precious oils and preventing rapid evaporation. This vessel was popular in both funeral rites and daily life, particularly in the gymnasium, before being partially replaced by the more rounded Aryballos.
Greek: alabastron (ἀλάβαστρον), meaning a vessel made of alabaster.
Unguentarium, Oil Flask, Perfume Container, Slender Vessel.
Amphora (large storage jar), Krater (mixing bowl), Hydria (water jar).
Lekythos, Aryballos, Pyxis, Cosmetics jar.
Historical Context of Alabastron
The earliest Alabastra date to the New Kingdom in Egypt, often carved from native calcite alabaster. The shape was rapidly adopted by the Mycenaeans and later by the Greeks, especially in Corinth, from the 7th century BCE onward. The Greek potters produced painted terracotta versions that were mass-exported throughout the Mediterranean, demonstrating significant cultural exchange. The vessel’s popularity waned slightly during the Classical period in favor of the Lekythos and Aryballos for daily use.
Social Context of Alabastron
The use of the Alabastron was a mark of wealth and concern for personal grooming in both Egyptian and Greek societies. High-quality vessels, whether carved from precious stone or decorated with elaborate painting, were luxury items. Consequently, they were often included in tombs as grave goods. The oil itself was used by athletes, women for cosmetic purposes, and for anointing the dead, demonstrating its diverse social roles.
| Area of Influence | Significance and Impact |
| Cosmetic Use | The vessel held perfumes and cosmetic oils used by women and men for personal hygiene and enhancement, particularly among the elite. |
| Grave Goods | The Alabastron was commonly placed in burials. This practice was intended to provide the deceased with necessities in the afterlife. |
| Athletic Culture | It was a standard item taken to the palaestra. This container held the oil used before and after strenuous exercise. |
| Trade Routes | The widespread distribution of Corinthian and Attic painted Alabastra provides archaeological evidence of extensive Greek trade networks. |
Terms Related to Alabastron
The Alabastron is often studied alongside other vessels related to oil and perfume storage. Understanding these related terms provides essential context for Greek pottery classification. This provides a clearer view of the functional framework surrounding ancient cosmetic practice.
| Term/Concept | Description and Relevance |
| Unguentarium | A general Latin term for any small vessel designed to hold unguents or oils, encompassing the Alabastron. |
| Lekythos | A taller, cylindrical oil flask that the Alabastron partially overlapped with in terms of funerary function. |
| Aryballos | A spherical oil flask. This vessel largely replaced the Alabastron in popularity among Greek athletes. |
| Alabaster | The mineral (calcite or gypsum) from which the Egyptian prototypes of the vessel were carved, giving the form its name. |
| Palaestra | The place of exercise where athletes would use the oil from the flasks for anointing their bodies. |
| Strigil | The curved metal tool used to scrape excess oil from the body after exercise. |
Sources & Credits
Sources
- Boardman, J. “Early Greek Vase Painting: 11th-6th Centuries BC.” Thames & Hudson, 1998. [Historical source]
- The British Museum. “Greek Pottery Vessels.” Collection Notes. [Museum site]
- Schlotzhauer, U. “Corinthian Alabastra.” Antike Kunst, 2004. [Historical source]
- “Alabastron.” Perseus Encyclopedia, Tufts University. [Definition site]
- Nicholson, P. T., and I. Shaw. “Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology.” Cambridge University Press, 2000. [Historical source]
