Aryballos (Container for Oil)

Eastern Mediterranean, possibly Rhodes →

ancientcontaineraryballos

Date

late 6th-5th century BCE

Medium

Glass, core-formed technique

Dimensions

7.1 × 5.6 × 5.6 cm (2 3/4 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson

Containers like this one were used to store precious oils. The flaring rim functioned as an applicator to spread the thick, scented oil over the skin; while the vessel itself was designed to fit comfortably in the user's hand.

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