Highly esteemed in the ancient world for its beautiful translucent and soft quality, alabaster was usually reserved for the production of small vessels to hold precious materials such as perfumed oils. Indeed, the small opening at the top of this vessel would suggest that it held such a material, for it would have allowed greater control over what could be poured. The form of this vessel is delicately carved, the compact minerals that make up alabaster allowing for a smooth finish.