Bottle

Item number Ce235 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

Clay bottle consisting of a globular body with narrow neck, flat flared rim. Connected with shoulder by flat handle. Light brown chalky surface with evidence of black painting on most of the surface; shoulder and sides of rim retain traces of decoration consisting of black dots. Top of rim decorated with radiating lines. Body decorated in quatrefoil pattern consisting of a vertical oval with line through it in black on either side project arrow-head shaped designs filled in with crosshatching. Radiating from central oval are two simplified blossoms in brown. Below handle is a design consisting of a circle with a cross through it.

History Of Use

Aryballoi served as containers for expensive liquids such as oils or perfumes, primary function was utilitarian but also used as grave goods.

Cultural Context

utilitarian; funerary

Iconographic Meaning

Quatrefoil pattern is a simplified floral motif which originally consisted of floral lotus blossoms and the four radiating leaves become the basis of the pattern. In this example both vertical blossoms are retained but in a simplified form.

Narrative

This collection was said to have been acquired by James George during his service in Greece (Athens) from 1945-48. J.W. Hayes described the shape of the bottle as Early-Middle Corinthian.