Alabastron | NCMA Explore

An alabastron is a small type of pottery or glass vessel used for holding oil. They originated in 11th century B.C.E. in ancient Egypt as containers carved from alabaster, which is where the name alabastron comes from. Eventually they started to be made from more materials than just alabaster. Most alabastra (plural of alabastron) were similar in shape, with an elongated body that was rounded at the bottom. They usually had a lipped opening at the top, and could have small handles either side of the neck of the vessel.