This cosmetic jar is carved from a piece of rock crystal.
This tiny object measures only one and a half inches (3.8 cm.) in height and is typical of the Byzantine love of exquisitely crafted luxury objects. The use of rock crystal (a variety of quartz) can be dated back as far as 3000 BC. Because it was virtually colorless and resembles glass, rock crystal was a favorite material for small vessels such as this. The jar's protruding lip is covered with delicate gold filigree work in a plant motif with tiny rows of granulation. The lid repeats this decoration and a round sapphire forms its knob. This cosmetic jar was likely the property of a wealthy woman for use on her dressing table. It may have held powdered make-up or ointment.
Byzantine luxury objects such as jewelry, enamels, ivories, and silks were highly portable and became the envy of the Latin West to which they were frequently exported. There they were often imitated by European craftsmen.
Cosmetic Jar Byzantium, 500s AD
Gold filigree, sapphire, and rock crystal
Grace Rainey Rogers Fund 1946.427
