Terracotta alabastron (perfume vase)
ca. 510–500 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1922
Accession Number
22.139.27
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate terracotta alabastron a perfume vase from Attic Greece around 510–500 BCE, the Archaic period's blend of everyday utility and artistic flair.ed by the Group of the Paidikos Alabastra workshop known for small-scale vases—this 7 1/8-inch (18.1 cm) vessel designed to hold scented oils, prized in ancient Greek rituals, grooming, and funerary practices. Its pear-shaped form, typical of alabastra, allowed for easy pouring, reflecting the period's innovative pottery shapes. The vase's surface likely features vibrant black-figure decoration showcasing a dynamic hunting scene: archers wi...