Ca. 3rd Century BC or earlier A beautiful alabastron made of alabaster of slender form with a cylindrical neck with central fillet, a funnel spout, 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. Size: L:128mm / W:28mm; 55.6g Provenance: From the collection of a London gentleman; formerly acquired in the early 2000s; previously in 1960s UK collection.