Aryballos fragrant oil jar with incised motifs and handle

This earthenware aryballos fragrant oil jar is decorated with incised geometric motifs, a characteristic of earthenware from Cyprus in this period. Scent jars made in Cyprus, from which the West Asian fragrance culture is thought to have spread to Greece, have been unearthed from many sites in the eastern Mediterranean region. 

Corinthian Aryballos Fragrant oil jar with handle

Red-figure fragrant oil jar in the shape of an Askos wine server

The askos was originally used to pour wine, but smaller versions were used as fragrant oil jars. The figures depicted on the surface are seems to be swans. Apollo, the beautiful birds associated with the sun god Apollo and his handmaiden, as well as Venus. There are motifs that suit a fragrant oil jar.

Cylindrical Alabastron, alabaster fragrant oil jar

The word alabaster is thought to be derived from Alabastron, a place name in Egypt. This beautifully white translucent stone is softer than marble and thus easier to process. It has therefore been used since ancient times to make a variety of craft objects. It was particularly valued as a container for fragrant oils and balsams, since oils do not soak into it.