Proto-Corinthian Ovoid Aryballos

The tiny size of this Corinthian black-figure aryballos did not hinder its painter from creating intricate, miniature decoration over the entire surface of the vase. Two sphinxes face each other on the front of the main band of decoration, while a goat grazes under the handle on the back. Filling ornaments such as pinwheel rosettes and spirals surround the animals. A palmette and lotus design decorates the vase's shoulder, and there is a guilloche pattern on the back of the handle. The lower band on the body shows two dogs chasing a hare.

Aryballoi were used to hold perfumed oil. The vessel's narrow opening and the wide plate around the mouth were intended to control the flow of this precious commodity. The shape of aryballoi developed over time from an early pointed form to later rounded type. The distinctive long, pointed shape of this example dates the vessel to the Proto-Corinthian period.