Cycladic zoomorphic pyxis

This rare type of Cycladic pyxis has the form of a pig. The head is sculpted in the round, the ears and snout are modelled in relief, while the eyes are indicated by two tiny cavities, which were possibly inlaid with black pebbles. The legs are small stumps and the tail is in low relief. On the animal's back is a spherical cavity, in which small objects were obviously stored, as in regular pyxides. The rim of the cavity is chamfered to receive the lid, now lost. In the absence of satisfactory comparanda, researchers are uncertain as to whether this vessel dates to the Early Cycladic I (3200-2800 BC) or II period (2800-2300 BC). Only three more intact and three fragmentary examples of marble zoomorphic pyxides are known, which represent sheep, pigs or hedgehogs, as well as a two-headed bird. Most of these date to the mature phase of the Early Cycladic period. Zoomorphic vases were also fashioned in clay during the Early Cycladic II period, in the form of a bear, a hedgehog or birds. Only clay zoomorphic askoi (flasks), usually in the form of a duck, are known from the Early Cycladic III period (2300-2000 BC), while there are also sporadic examples in the form of a bovine or a snake.