Bottle

Item number Ce244 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 a narrow neck, flat disk like rim. Sides of rim are slightly concave; flat handle connects rim and body at rear. Surface is light brown and slightly leached. Top of rim is decorated with a dark brown circle. Body decorated in quatrefoil pattern in front of a central vertical oval with a line through it; arrow head shaped designs pointing to either side and are filled in with black crosshatching. Radiating from central oval are four elongated teardrop designs; two projecting upwards, two downwards in shades of brown. Bottom decorated in simplified blossom pattern between teardrops projecting from front. Body below handle designed in dark brown consisting of intersecting lines.

History Of Use

Aryballoi served as containers for expensive liquids such as oils or perfumes, primarily meant for everyday use but also served as grave goods.

Cultural Context

utilitarian; funerary

Iconographic Meaning

Quatrefoil pattern is a simplification of a floral motif originally consisting of quadruple lotus blossoms where the horizontal and upper blossoms have become debased and four leaves become the basis of the pattern.

Narrative

This collection was said to have been acquired by James George during his service in Greece (Athens) from 1945-48. J.W. Hayes dated the piece to Middle or Late Corinthian.