What is lacrimatory and why it is better to do without it

The word lacrimatory (lacrymatory) comes from the Latin word "lacrima" — tears. It is a miniature oblong vessel made of glass or ceramic with a very narrow neck and tightly fitted stopper. Lacrimatory exquisitely and richly formatted and sometimes was a real work of art. But why was it necessary?

We all know that in ancient times, and in some places, and in our days, to the grave with the dead man lowered everything I could need that in the afterlife. Jewelry, weapons, tools, food, drinks, Pets and, sometimes, wives, servants and bodyguards, was to provide the deceased a carefree life in a different world and a high reputation among its inhabitants.

But in the ancient world believed that this is not enough to show how important and good man died, and with various objects in the grave were placed lacrimatory filled with tears. This vessel was created specially to collect the tears of mourners and grieving loved ones and his whole design was subordinated to this goal.

Oblong shape and narrow neck allow you to attach the bottle to the corners and tightly proterty tube was designed to keep the precious liquid from accidental spills and evaporation. The first lacrimatory created without lids, that tears could evaporate, but very soon the tanks for tears found and other applications, and the safety of their content became important.

Lacrimatory adopt a jealous and suspicious husbands. Going on a long journey or to war, this husband gave his wife lacrimatory and the poor woman had to bring his beloved after his return, preferably maximally filled. The amount of tears in the vial, the husband judged on how strong was the desire better half during his absence.

Used lacrimatory in Persia, Byzantium, and later in Europe. In the Victorian era in England in graceful glass vessels collected the tears of the widow, then, on the anniversary of the death of her husband, to pour them on the grave as a sign of Supreme grief.

The last mention of the use of tanks to collect the tears of wives belong to the period of the Civil war (1861-1865). After this "ship of tears" permanently out of use and thought about them already in the XXI century. However today it is difficult to find a lady that collects tears in lacrimatory, and these things become collectible.