Cleveland Museum of Art

Oinochoe (Wine Jug) in the Form of a Woman's Head

Class N

Date

c. 475–450 BCE

Medium

ceramic

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Mold-made vases in the form of human heads became popular in Athens in the fifth century BC. Although some represent male figures (including Herakles, Dionysos, and satyrs) and often take the form of drinking cups, wine jugs in the form of women’s heads are most common. Unusual on this example are the incised ears. The artist used white paint for the eyes and an ivy wreath, now partly lost.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.