DRAG IMAGE TO ROTATE ARTWORK
Aryballos (Rhodian black-figure ware)
600 BCE-590 BCE
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
6.2 × 5.2 × 6.1 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by the National Gallery Women's Association, 1977
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
An aryballos is a small perfume flask. This one, moulded in the shape of a soldier’s helmeted head, comes from the island of Rhodes. The mouth of the flask is at the top, rising from the helmet crest. Vessels ofthis kind were made from moulds, one for the front and one for the back, which were joined and smoothed over before being painted in the black-figure technique. Rhodes was well known for its production of these small perfume containers, which were especially popular between 600 and 550 BCE and were probably aimed at the luxury market.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Rhodes, Greece
Accession Number
D314-1977
Department
Antiquities
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Small vase in the shape of a helmeted head of a warrior. The cheek-pieces are black with a red border. The "crest" of the helmet is a ridge with a vertical projection at the front, below which the circular front-piece above the forehead is decorated with an incised palmette. The warrior's eyes are large and almond-shaped; there is a small moustache. The vase mouth is at the top of the head, decorated with dots.