mediumaevum: Container for Holy Oils, carved 500–700Northeastern FranceBone decorated with en

mediumaevum:

Container for Holy Oils, carved 500–700
Northeastern France
Bone decorated with engraving and pigment

This portable container for holy oils is decorated with incised circular patterns, some of which may have a cosmological meaning. Used for both baptisms and confirmations, the container could also be suspended from a chain worn around the neck. (3 1/2 x 4 7/16 x 1 3/4 in. (8.9 x 11.3 x 4.5 cm))