A Collyrium Or Vermillion Container

Cast in bronze this peacock-shaped collyrium or vermillion container is a fine example of paraphernalia of women’s toiletry objects. The body of the peacock acts as container for collyrium where as the gracefully upturned tail has a cavity for holding a circular mirror. At the back of the mirror there is one more container for any other ingredient for make-up. Through the opening in the bird’s chest a pin is inserted to obtain collyrium or vermillion for application.
Indian craftspersons as well as their patrons have often shown concern for imaginatively designing objects of everyday life imbibing forms of nature into their making. The Sanskrit word alamkara popularly translated as ornament or decoration literally means “to do extra”. This desire to do something extra is the beginning of making things “artistic”