A small, general purpose bottle, more often than not without handles (plural "unguentaria"). These commonly used vessels were used to hold unguents, scented oils, cosmetics, pigments, salves, medicines and dried herbs. Special shapes include aryballos, candlestick unguentarium, sphere and bird shaped. An unguent is a soothing topical preparation spread on wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions or other topical injuries. It is similar to an ointment, though typically an unguent is less viscous and more oily. It is usually delivered as a semi-solid paste spread on the skin and is often oily to suspend the medication or other active ingredients.