VesselsGreek6th century BCE

Oil flask (aryballos) in the form of a rooster

6th century BCE

Description

The flat mouth concealed behind the rooster's head is the only indication that this faience object is hollow and could serve as a flask for scented oil. Two wings curve up on either side of the vessel opening, with feathers indicated by incised lines. The rooster's beak and wattle are complete, but its comb is partly broken. The animal sits on a low base. Its wings and tucked-under legs are reminiscent of the hybrid "horse-rooster" (hippalektryon) that also occurs among such faience flasks.

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Mold-made

Medium

Faience

Culture

Greek

Period

Archaic period

Century

6th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

7.5 x 7 cm (2 15/16 x 2 3/4 in.)

Provenance

[Charles Ede Limited, London (1988)], sold; to Private Collection (1988-2000) sold; [through Charles Ede Limited, London (2000)], to Harvard University Art Museums. Purported formerly in the Gustave Mustaki Collection, Alexandria, Egypt and London.