Bottle, Islamic, perfume
Production date
10th Century CE
See full details
Object detail
Description
Opaque glass Islamic perfume bottle. Mould-made, small, narrow rectangular bodied bottle with pinched neck expanding to funnel shape. Silver and gold iridescence.
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY
Production date
10th Century CE
Measurements
L75mm x W22mm x D18mm
Media/Materials description
Glass
History and use
Smell is one of the strongest senses, inducing memories, associations and powerful emotions. Perfumes and scented oils were used to heighten attractiveness, and communicate wealth, status and nature of the person. Available in solid or liquid forms, they were used in all aspects of daily life, including sports events, banquets, medicines, rituals, offerings to the gods and the deceased. Perfume containers are as varied as the scents they contained. Ingredients for perfumes reached the Middle East via trade routes. New notes of camphor, ambergris and sandalwood were added to already prestigious scents of cinnamon, frankincense, saffron and rose. Scents fell in and out of favour as trade routes opened up, introducing new ingredients to perfume makers.
Associated person
Registration number
H12408
Share
Category
