Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Alabaster

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

ALABASTER or ALABASTRUM (ἀλάβαστρος and -ον). A small vase for holding ointments of a choice description (Cic. Fragm. ap. Non. s. v. p. 545. Mercer. Pet. Sat. lx. 3.); mostly made out of any onyx stone (Plin. H. N. xxxvi. 12.), or sometimes of gold (Theocr. Idyl. xv. 114.), but of a peculiar form, like the shape of a pear, a pearl drop, or a rose bud, to all of which it is likened. (Plin. H. N. ix. 56. Id. xxi. 10.) The example (Alabaster/1.1) is from an original formerly in the possession of the Roman antiquary Pietro Ciacconi. Fortunatus Schackius, Myriothec. i. 47.

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  Alabaster/1.1