a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 195 Þe oynement boxe þat þe gospel speikiþ.
1856 E. B. Browning iii. 132 The ointment-box broke on the Holy feet To let out the rich medicative nard.
1991 6 3/1 The medieval patron saints of medicine and surgery, Cosmas and Damian, who hold up, respectively, an ointment box with spatula and a urine flask (for prognosis by uroscopy).