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HOME :
Classical Antiquities :
Corinthian : Corinthian Askos in the Form of a Bird
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Corinthian Askos in the Form of a Bird - PF.5591
Origin: Mediterranean
Circa: 400
BC
to 300
BC
Dimensions:
5.25" (13.3cm) high
x 2.625" (6.7cm) wide
Collection: Classical
Medium: Terracotta
Additional Information: Art Logic--Christie's (New York) 1999
£7,800.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
An askos is traditionally used for
pouring oil.
However, this vessel has taken on the
untraditional form of a bird. The
elongated beak
served as a spout while the oil would
have been
loaded through the opening at the top of
the
bird’s back. Next to the loading mouth,
there is
a strap handle decorated with black
painted
lines. In fact, the entire vessel is
elaborated with
red and black painted highlights.
Radiating lines
depict the texture of the tail feathers
protruding
from the hind. The wings are elegantly
painted
with feathers and rows of hash marks.
The
bulging red eyes with recessed centers
are
painted in, as are sporadic spots along
the neck.
While pottery and functional vessels
often took
the form of animals, few are quite so
entirely
successful. In the end, this is not a
pouring jar in
the shape of a bird; but a bird in the
form of a
pouring jar.
- (PF.5591)
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