Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Aryballos with a Lion
(Ancient Greece )
Facing to the right on this small aryballos is a lion in profile, its mouth open wide, surrounded by rosettes of different sizes. The lion's facial features, mane and musculature are enhanced by extensive incised details. Aryballoi were used by athletes to hold oil that was rubbed onto the body before exercise or competition (Miller 2004, 14-15). They often appear hanging by a small strap from athlete's wrist in gymnasium scenes. In addition to this practical function, they were also a popular grave good and would have been a suitable votive offering in a hero sanctuary (Payne 1931, 290E).
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.S. David [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1957, by purchase.
Exhibitions
| 2009-2011 | Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville; San Diego Museum Of Art, San Diego; Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA), New York. |
| 1978 | In Search of Ancient Treasure: 40 Years of Collecting. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 10/25/2005 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 9/22/2009 | Treatment | coated |
Geographies
Greece, Corinth (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 2 11/16 x Diam: 2 5/8 in. (6.8 x 6.67 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 1957
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
48.2095