A misleading nameSourced
The ancient tear bottle probably held perfume
Small vessels from ancient tombs were once interpreted as containers for mourners’ tears. The name lacrymatory preserves that idea, but evidence for tear collection is lacking. The vessels held perfumes and ointments used around funerary rites.
An evocative label can outlive an explanation.
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Lacrymatory · Wikimedia contributors
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Reviewed: 2026-10-05