On view
Ancient Mediterranean Art
Askos (oil container) with sculptural attachments,
early 3rd century BCE
South Italian, Canosan
Hellenistic Period, ca. 323–30 BCE
y1990-55
This monumental askos, a vessel meant to hold precious perfumed oils or other liquids, was made specifically for a funerary context, where it would have been deposited in the ground with the deceased. Attached to the vessel are seven fragile mold made sculptures: three of Nike, two horse protomes (decorative attachments depicting the head and torso of an animal), and two gorgons. These may have been fired before being attached to the vessel—they do not have separate vent holes, and their hollow bodies do not join with the interior of the vessel. Both the figures and the vessel have been covered with the powdery white slip that is characteristic of third-century Canosan ceramics. While there is no surviving trace of added pigment, the vessel likely would have once been brightly colored.
Information
Title
Askos (oil container) with sculptural attachments
Dates
early 3rd century BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
69.5 x 42 x 51.5 cm (27 3/8 x 16 9/16 x 20 1/4 in.)
central figurine h. 27.5 cm (10 13/16 in.)
l. of horses 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)
w. of winged gorgoneion 20.5 cm (8 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
y1990-55
Place Made
Europe, Italy, Apulia (southern Italy)
Culture
Period
Materials
Purchased by the Museum from Robin Symes in 1990
