CIRCA 550-500 B.C.

Details

AN EAST GREEK POTTERY VASE IN THE FORM OF A PHALLUS
CIRCA 550-500 B.C.
Naturalistically modelled, the tip of the phallus forming the mouth of the vessel, the upper portion with a peaked centre and curving duck head terminals, with two horizontal perforations for suspension
4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) long

Provenance

Private collection, Switzerland, acquired prior to 1966.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acc. no. 1999.78. Sculptural vases of this period were made in a wide variety of shapes, including human body parts, and were primarily the product of Rhodian and other East Greek workshops. Their diminutive size suggests they stored perfumed oils, perhaps for ritual, medicinal, or erotic purposes - it is tempting to presume the latter for the present lot.

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