Pyxis (vessel)

A pyxis (Greek: πυξίς; pl.: pyxides) is a shape of vessel from the classical world, usually a cylindrical box with a separate lid and no handles.^[1] They were used to hold cosmetics, trinkets or jewellery, but were also used for dispensing incense and by physicians to contain medicine.^[2] Surviving pyxides are mostly Greek pottery, but could also be made from a range of other materials: wood, bronze, ivory, marble, terracotta, silver, or stone.^[3] The name derived from Corinthian boxes made of wood from the tree puksos ("boxwood").^[3] During the Classical period, the Attic word "kylichnis" was also used to refer to the same shape.^[3] The shape of the vessel can be traced in pottery back to the Protogeometric period in Athens, however the Athenian pyxis has various shapes itself.