Roman Agate Amphoriskos

1st-3rd century AD. A carved vessel of banded agate with rounded butt, ovoid body, short neck with stepped rim, two pierced lug handles to the shoulder. 142 grams, 75mm (3"). Acquired by the current owner in 2000 from Mrs C.W. an old French private collection formed since the early 1980s, supplied with geologic report No. TL005216, by geologic consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. The amphoriskos would have held perfume or scented oil that would have been made from expensive and exotic ingredients to match the container. Many perfumes would have been traded along the so-called 'Incense Road', a trade route that went from Yemen and Arabia to the cosmopolitan cities of the Mediterranean. Other ingredients for perfume were mainly home-grown flowers such as iris and marjoram, roses, lilies, and violets. Perfume was worn by both men and women and was central to cult worship as it was seen as pleasing to the gods and able to win their favour.
Condition Report: Very fine condition.