Archaic Aryballos (Oil Flask), ca. 620–590 BCE
This piece is inspired by an Early Corinthian aryballos housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. During this period, some workshops specialized in crafting aryballoi adorned with figures of komasts—padded dancers who performed in rituals honoring Dionysos, the god of wine and festivity. These dancers are depicted in a lively, exaggerated style characteristic of Corinthian pottery, although on mass-produced vessels like this one, the scenes may serve as decorative motifs rather than convey deep symbolic meaning. This aryballos is attributed to the New York Comast Painter, an artisan known for frequently depicting lively komast dancers on vessels of this type.
This piece, made for the first time in May 2024, is sold without the ceramic stand.
Dimensions H: 12,0 cm, Max D : 11,0 cm