Cleveland Museum of Art

Protocorinthian (Early Black-Figure) Aryballos (Oil Flask): Animals

Date

c. 650–640 BCE

Medium

ceramic

Culture

Greek, Corinthian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Tongues encircle the rim, shoulder, and base of this small oil vessel, while two carefully incised bands of scales frame an animal frieze. Here, amid dot rosettes, are a bull, dog, and goat, all facing right, and a left-facing lion with head turned back. The black glaze has misfired red in many places, while added red enlivens numerous tongues, scales, and internal details. Artists may have used a compass-like tool to create the intricate scale patterns.

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