Terracotta zoomorphic askos (vessel)
Unknown Artist
ca. 2000–1800 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Early Cypriot III-Middle Cypriot I
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.797
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming terracotta zoomorphic ask, dating to around 2000–1800 BCE, hails from ancient Cyprus during the Early Cypriot III to Middle Cypriot I periods. Shaped like a small animal—likely a quadruped such as a goat or bull—this vessel stands just 4 3/16 inches (10.6 cm) tall, embodying the ingenuity of Bronze Age potters. As an askos, it features a distinctive baggy body with a spout for pouring liquids like oil or wine, a form popular across the ancient Mediterranean for both practical and ritual use. Crafted from fired clay, the askos showcases Cypriot artisans' skill in modeling natural...