Roman Rock Crystal Amphoriskos

1st century BC-1st century AD. A carved rock crystal miniature amphora with stepped foot, decagonal-section rounded body, broad neck with everted rim and to lateral loop handles. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] 34.9 grams, 50mm (2"). Acquired by the current owner in 2000 from Mrs C.W. an old French private collection formed since the early 1980s. 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: Fine condition.