Vase in the Form of a Siren

Greek (Artist)

ca. 540 BCE (Archaic)

terracotta, mold made
(Ancient Greece )

This East Greek type of perfume vase takes the form of a siren, a mythical creature with a woman's head and a bird's body, known for her connections to the underworld and for her mesmerizing power over men. A pierced lug for hanging is attached to her back.

Provenance

**Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.**

E. Zoumpoulakis, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Joseph Brummer, Paris and New York, 1925, by purchase [Brummer inv. no. P2598]; Sale, Joseph Brummer Collection, pt. III, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York. June 8-9, 1949, no. 18; Walters Art Museum, 1949, by purchase.

Exhibitions

2009	Things With Wings: Mythological Figures in Ancient Greek Art. Ward Museum, Salisbury.
2005-2006	Things With Wings: Mythological Figures in Ancient Greek Art. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.
1978	In Search of Ancient Treasure: 40 Years of Collecting. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.

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Geographies

Greece (Place of Origin)

Measurements

5 1/2 x 8 7/16 x 3 7/8 in. (14 x 21.5 x 9.9 cm)

Credit Line

Museum purchase, 1949

Location in Museum

Centre Street: Second Floor: Greek Art

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

48.2020

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