Ca. 3rd Century BC or earlier.A beautiful alabastron made of alabaster of slender form with cylindrical neck and convex disk rim, several encircling lines incised on the shoulder. Alabastra are ubiquitous in the Greek world and frequent in neighbouring regions, particularly the Levant and Egypt. On Cyprus, stone examples begin during the Archaic period (seventh and sixth centuries BC) and become widespread during Classical times. The consistency of the shape makes it difficult to date them and to distinguish local from imported examples. Alabastra served men and women in life and frequently were placed in burials. For a similar alabastron sold at Sotheby’s, see https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/ancient-sculpture-and-works-of-art/a-hellenistic-gypsum-alabaster-alabastron-circa.Size: L:175mm / W:48mm; 284.3g.Provenance: Formerly in Private US collection; ex. Tom Carson collection, Pennsylvania, acquired 40 years ago.