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Protocorinthian (Early Black-Figure) Aryballos (Oil Flask): Animals

c. 650–640 BCE

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

Tongues encircle the rim, shoulder, and base of this small oil vessel, while two carefully incised bands of scales frame an animal frieze. Here, amid dot rosettes, are a bull, dog, and goat, all facing right, and a left-facing lion with head turned back. The black glaze has misfired red in many places, while added red enlivens numerous tongues, scales, and internal details.

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  • Title: Protocorinthian (Early Black-Figure) Aryballos (Oil Flask): Animals
  • Date Created: c. 650–640 BCE
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 13.7 cm (5 3/8 in.)
  • Provenance: Through Harold Woodbury Parsons, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Type: Ceramic
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1915.532
  • Medium: ceramic
  • Fun Fact: Artists may have used a compass-like tool to create the intricate scale patterns.
  • Department: Greek and Roman Art
  • Culture: Greek, Corinthian
  • Credit Line: Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
  • Collection: GR - Greek
  • Accession Number: 1915.532
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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