Categories
Museum Object

17. Perfume Vase

Gallery:

Roman Empire

Room / Case / #

70 / 14 /

High demand for beautifying products

Perfume: Beautifying products and perfumes have been in demand at least since the time of the Pharaohs. Musk & Camphor from China, Civet and Sandalwood from India, Ambergris from the Baltic, Jasmine from North Africa, Frankincense from Arabia  and Spices from SE Asia  are just some of the ingredients. This item: Roman perfume vase of carved amber, decorated with a vine and panthers. Made in Aquileia, near modern day Venice. This tiny vase is just 9cm tall holding tiny amounts of precious perfumes from around the world. It is dated between 100 and 200 CE.