Cleveland Museum of Art

Monkey-Shaped Aryballos (Oil Vessel)

Date

c. 580 BCE

Medium

ceramic

Culture

East Greek, probably Milesian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Perfume flasks in the form of a monkey are numerous, but few are as well made and preserved as this one. The flask was worn suspended from the wrist by a cord. Its owner would take it to the communal baths and anoint himself with its contents afterward. Such flasks have been found throughout the Mediterranean and Egypt, but this vessel was likely made at a Greek settlement on the west coast of Asia Minor. An aryballos is a small jar for scented oils and perfumes.

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