Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Perfume bottle; Unattributed; ca. 1988-1989; CC34

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitlePerfume bottle

About this objectThis is a plaster cast copy of a bronze scent bottle. The bottle forms a sculpture of the head of a young African woman. The bronze original, held in the British Museum, is most likely from Alexandria and dates to around 100 BCE.

Alexandria was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great, and within a century it had become the largest city in the world. It was Egypt's largest Greek city, and a key centre of trade around the Mediterranean. Items like this perfume bottle could have been sent around the known world for sale and were often prized by the owners for their exotic appearance.

MakerUnattributed

Date Madeca. 1988-1989

Place NotesOriginal bronze likely from Alexandria

Medium and MaterialsPlaster

Style and IconographyHellenistic

TechniqueCasting (process)

TechniqueSculpting

Measurements104 x 57 x 50mm

Subject and Association KeywordsFigurative art

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsSocial life and customs

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1996.

Object TypeContainers

Object numberCC34