Aryballos (Container for Oil)
Ancient Eastern Mediterranean
late 6th-5th century BCE
Medium
Glass, core-formed technique
Dimensions
7.1 × 5.6 × 5.6 cm (2 3/4 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/4 in.)
Classification
container
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
43350
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Containers like this one were used to store precious oils. The flaring rim functioned as an applicator to spread the thick, scented oil over the skin; while the vessel itself was designed to fit comfortably in the user's hand.