Concha

Concha (κόγχη, κόγχος), a mussel-or cockle-shell, was the name of a vessel made in the form of such a shell. These vessels were used for various purposes, and were of different sizes. Thus they were used as salt-cellars (concha salis puri, Hor. Sat. 1.3, 14), for holding perfumes and unguents (Hor. Carm. 2.7.23; Juv. 6.304, 419, with Schol. ad 419), oil (Cat. Agr. 13, 3; Col. 12.52.8), colours for painters (Dig. 33, tit. 7.17), &c. Vessels of a similar shape, but of a larger size, were used for washing, and for other purposes (Paul. Sent. 3.6, 56 and 83; conchas, in quibus pedes lavant, Schol. ad Juv. 3.277, 10.64). We find vessels in the shape of shells depicted in works of art. Two examples are given by Daremberg and Saglio (s. v. Concha). Concha or conchula (concula) was also the name of a liquid measure, of which there were two sizes. The smaller was half the cyathus (=.0412 of a pint English); the larger, which was the same as the oxybaphum, was three times the former (=.1238 of a pint). (Hussey, pp. 207, 209; Wurm, p. 129; Hultsch, Metrol. p. 91.)

[W.S]