Alabastron

Wheel-made alabastron with a slim body
and rounded base, decorated with the
figure of a man walking towards the right
painted in black over white slip.
The face turned to the left, with features
drawn in black. The arms are held out
at the sides. The figure is wearing long
striped trousers and a shirt with a collar
and fitted at the waist.
A shawl with a meander motif along one
end and a tasselled edge hangs over
the left arm. The right hand is held out
towards a palm tree. The facial features
and local costume of the male figure
suggests that it represents an African
soldier.
Alabastrons of this type with figures of
African soldiers on a white ground are
known to have been manufactured in
Attica (see Neils 1980, pp. 13-23).