3rd millennium BC. A carved chlorite quadrangular container, divided into four compartments, decorated on the outside with geometric figures in black and white, which form waves, squares and triangles on the outer walls of the cosmetic box. 360 grams, 81 x 81mm (3 x 3"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market before 2000; previously in a UK collection. In the first half of the 3rd millennium B.C.E., the Iranian plateau was at the crossroads of trade with its neighbouring regions. The region of Jiroft, lying far away from the large centres of civilization, had not until now attracted the attention of researchers. Chlorite is a soft and easy-to-work rock. It has been in use locally there for a long time. Stone vessels are necessary for the long-time conservation of organic products. Given their weight, stone vases rarely exceed 25 cm in height. In smaller dimensions they might have contained aromatic plants and perfumes. They include cylindrical boxes, cups, high open-rim vases and a few globular jars.