VesselsGreek7th century BCE

Black-figure Alabastron: Water Birds

650-630 BCE

Description

Tiny, sack-shaped alabastron. Broad, rounded bottom with small inverted omphalos in center, curves outward and then inward as it moves toward the vessel's narrow neck. Rounded, beveled rim surrounds small mouth. Triangular handle with small, pierced opening. Black-figure with additions in red and incised details. Stylized guilloche pattern on shoulder/neck. Main zone contains a procession of water fowl with plump bodies, long necks, and long, pointy beaks. Feathers rendered with incision. Dot rosettes fill space in at head and neck level of the birds. Birds walk on lowest zone, which consists of tongues alternating in red and black and outlined in white and black. Pale buff fabric. Minor chipping on body; substantial flaking of slip.

Classification

Vessels

Technique

Wheel-made

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Period

Orientalizing period

Century

7th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

6 cm (2 3/8 in.)

Provenance

From the collection of Herbert A. Cahn. Purchased at auction October 18, 2002. Jean-David Cahn AG, Auktion 3, 18 October 2002, Basel. Kunstwerke der Antike: Sammlung Tilly und Herbert A. Cahn. Lot 10.