Terracotta aryballos (oil flask) 550 BC

This 6th century BC terracotta aryballos, a small flask used for storing oil, is a fine example of Black-figure pottery from Ancient Greece. The vessel is decorated with a dynamic scene of a battle between warriors on horseback, and below, a hunting scene with three lions. The black figures, outlined in white, stand out against the orange terracotta clay. The design demonstrates the distinctive style of this important period in Greek art, with its emphasis on storytelling through imagery and its characteristic geometric patterns.