Lacrymatory
Encyclopedia
Lacrymatory is a class of small vessel
s of terra-cotta or, more frequently, of glass
, found in Roman
and late Greek
tombs, and supposed to have been bottles into which mourners dropped their tears. They contained unguent
s, and the finding of so many of these vessels in tombs is due to the use of unguents at funeral ceremonies. They are shaped like a spindle, or a flask with a long small neck and a body in the form of a bulb.
The name of these small tear bottles is derived from the lacrymatory glands that secrete tears. Also commonly spelled Lachrymatory.
The Unguents referred to in the Encyclopædia Britannica
reference were likely fragrant ointments or pastes similar to solid perfume
or perfumed cream today. There is evidence that people have collected their tears in mourning and as a symbol of deep love throughout history, but not as the common practice once attributed to the Romans.
Bowl (vessel)
A bowl is a common open-top container used in many cultures to serve food, and is also used for drinking and storing other items. They are typically small and shallow, although some, such as punch bowls and salad bowls, are larger and often intended to serve many people.Bowls have existed for...
s of terra-cotta or, more frequently, of glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
, found in Roman
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and late Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
tombs, and supposed to have been bottles into which mourners dropped their tears. They contained unguent
Unguent
An unguent is a soothing preparation spread on wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions or other topical injuries . It is similar to an ointment, though typically an unguent is less viscous and more oily....
s, and the finding of so many of these vessels in tombs is due to the use of unguents at funeral ceremonies. They are shaped like a spindle, or a flask with a long small neck and a body in the form of a bulb.
The name of these small tear bottles is derived from the lacrymatory glands that secrete tears. Also commonly spelled Lachrymatory.
The Unguents referred to in the Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
reference were likely fragrant ointments or pastes similar to solid perfume
Perfume
Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and/or aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the human body, animals, objects, and living spaces "a pleasant scent"...
or perfumed cream today. There is evidence that people have collected their tears in mourning and as a symbol of deep love throughout history, but not as the common practice once attributed to the Romans.