Lacrymatory (also Lachrymatory) are bottles used to catch the tears of those in sorrow over a beloved ones absence during war, or the tears of mourning during a funeral.
Although not a common item these days, one may still find them at a grave side, used as a vase for a single flower.
Although not a common item these days, one may still find them at a grave side, used as a vase for a single flower.
Catching the Tears of Mourning
Various Lacrymatory. These oddly shaped bottles, although largely ornamental these days, used to serve a near vital part of the process of sorrow, death and mourning. The idea was for the Lacrymatory (also spelled Lachrymatory) to catch the tears of mourners at funerals, or even the tears of those whose loved ones had set off for war.
They are made from terracotta, glass or any other material able to be formed into the required shape. At first, these tear catchers were quite simple, just a small cup or a bottle with a long neck, but later a 'cup' at the top of the stem was formed, to conform to the contours of the eye. Those expressing their sorrow through tears would place the cup over the eye, and any tears brought forth would be caught, falling to the bottom of the vial/bottle.
It is with these implements that one’s sorrow could be measured. In the days of ancient Persia, a sultan would check the contents of his many wives tear catchers, the bottles stoppered between bouts of sadness, in order to tell who missed him the most while he was away.
They are made from terracotta, glass or any other material able to be formed into the required shape. At first, these tear catchers were quite simple, just a small cup or a bottle with a long neck, but later a 'cup' at the top of the stem was formed, to conform to the contours of the eye. Those expressing their sorrow through tears would place the cup over the eye, and any tears brought forth would be caught, falling to the bottom of the vial/bottle.
It is with these implements that one’s sorrow could be measured. In the days of ancient Persia, a sultan would check the contents of his many wives tear catchers, the bottles stoppered between bouts of sadness, in order to tell who missed him the most while he was away.
Through the Ages
Roman tear catcher. In Roman times, mourners – friends and relatives – would use the bottles to catch their tears as a measure of their respect. The more tears that were collected, was a measure of how respected the deceased was in their community.
This brought about an interesting new profession. Women would be paid to cry at funerals, thus filling more tear catchers for the dead, artificially elevating the deceased’s position post mortem. The more tears the paid for mourner shed, the more money they would make.
What was more interesting about these bottles was the fact that the tears were allowed to evaporate. The tear catchers would be placed in the deceased’s tomb, and once the last of the tears had evaporated, the official period of mourning could be ended.
During the time of the Civil War in the US, many women took to capturing their tears over the duration their husbands were away fighting. If the husband returned, the captured tears were a measure of their wives devotion, if the husband died, the tears would be sprinkled over his grave at the first anniversary of his death – the initial period of mourning now over.
This brought about an interesting new profession. Women would be paid to cry at funerals, thus filling more tear catchers for the dead, artificially elevating the deceased’s position post mortem. The more tears the paid for mourner shed, the more money they would make.
What was more interesting about these bottles was the fact that the tears were allowed to evaporate. The tear catchers would be placed in the deceased’s tomb, and once the last of the tears had evaporated, the official period of mourning could be ended.
During the time of the Civil War in the US, many women took to capturing their tears over the duration their husbands were away fighting. If the husband returned, the captured tears were a measure of their wives devotion, if the husband died, the tears would be sprinkled over his grave at the first anniversary of his death – the initial period of mourning now over.
Lacrymatoria Today
Lacrymatory from Portugal. The popularity of Tear Catchers continued until the late 18th century, when the design of the Lacrymatory hit the height of fashion. The bottles became quite elaborate, almost all made from hand blown glass, with many different colours and patterns woven into them by skilled craftsmen.
Today early tear catchers have become quite collectable, with some fetching high prices on sites like eBay. The art of making the tear catcher is not lost, and some companies still produce them today, however they are largely ornamental. A stroll through a cemetery may see you find a tear catcher adorning someone’s grave, not holding tears, but rather holding a single small flower stem.
Today early tear catchers have become quite collectable, with some fetching high prices on sites like eBay. The art of making the tear catcher is not lost, and some companies still produce them today, however they are largely ornamental. A stroll through a cemetery may see you find a tear catcher adorning someone’s grave, not holding tears, but rather holding a single small flower stem.
Ashley Hall 2013
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