Late Proto-Corinthian - Early Corinthian Alabastron (Oil Flask) Body Sherd

Archaic
650 BCE - 590 BCE

7/8 in. x 5/8 in. x 3/16 in. (2.2 cm x 1.55 cm x 0.5 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• alabastra - Small ancient Greek or Roman vessels for holding oils, ointments, or perfumes; usually elongated in form, almost cylindrical, and rounded at the bottom. Some footed examples also exist. They either have no handles or one small handle at the side. Alabastra are small enough to be held in one hand or it could be carried by a string looped around its narrow neck or passed through smal lugs on the shoulder. The shape originated in Egypt, where it was made in glass, faience, or alabaster (it takes its name from this stone).
• bodies - Those parts of containers that enclose the contents, as distinguished from accessory components such as covers, handles, and applied decoration.
• Early Corinthian - Refers to the early phase of Corinthian pottery style, dating from around 625 BCE to around 600 BCE. It is characterized by a strong, incisive drawing of designs and a continuation of animal themes used in Proto-Corinthian pottery, but with the widespread addition of decorative elements between figures, usually distinctive rosettes with incised crosses in the petals.
• Proto-Corinthian - Refers to the Orientalizing phase of Greek art in Corinth, from about 720 to 620 BCE, which is roughly contemporary with the Proto-Attic phase in Athens. The Proto-Corinthian pottery style developed in Corinth in the eighth century BCE and lasted until around 640 BCE. It is characterized by vessels that are usually cups, jugs, or perfume pots, with decoration that is at first geometric and later includes animal and human figures, with occasional Eastern curvilinear ornamentation. The later examples are distinctive for the rounded contours and animation of the figures, painted in outline and silhouette, with added designs in incision and white color.
• sherds - Limited to fragments of pottery or glass.

This object is a member of the following portfolios: