Art Institute of Chicago

Cosmetic Applicator

Ancient Mediterranean

Date

4th-6th century

Medium

Glass

Culture

Mediterranean Region

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Initially affordable only among the wealthy, glass was used in ancient Rome to create tableware and containers for oils and perfume. This delicate applicator would have been just one object among the array of mirrors, combs, and palettes for mixing cosmetics, as well as bottles and other containers for products used to beautify prosperous Romans.

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