CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

In this guide I will discuss the origins of the fanciful tear bottle, its legends and its scientific outcomes. Many people have used the term undefined to market simple scent, cosmetic or unguent bottles.

Also goes by names such as tear bottle, tear catcher, lapel bottle, tear vial, boot bottle unguentaria, bosom bottle, or unguentarium. There are also several less common spellings for lachrymatory, including lacrymatory.

Origin:

The Old Testament of the Bible (KJV) references collecting tears in a bottle in Psalm 56:8 when David prays to God, undefined The reference predates the birth of Christ by over 1000 years, and does not refer to burials. And another reference, "Behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, . . . and anointed them with the ointment" (Luke 7:37-38).Some scholars believe she poured her tear bottleundefined1undefined2undefined3undefined to 8undefineds sentiments might help him or her sell a bottle more easily.

Scientists have performed chemical tests on these flasks and they disproved the romantic theory, revealing traces of oils and essences, instead of tears. These simple pottery or glass flasks were meant to hold cheap essential oils, the more expensive oils deserved more elaborate bottles. However, the mystery and allure of having a bottle to collect tears of the bereaved must sound appealing in some way as these items are being marketed today and people are buying them .

Further reading:

• Perfume & Scent Bottle Collecting by Jean Sloan
• Millers Perfume Bottles by Madeleine Marsh