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Image for Alabastron with the "Mistress of the Animals"
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Alabastron with the "Mistress of the Animals" Thumbnail

Alabastron with the "Mistress of the Animals"

Greek (Artist)
third quarter of the 7th century BCE (Orientalizing)
terracotta, wheel made; Corinthian Ware
(Ancient Greece )

The main motif on this alabastron (perfume and oil vessel) shows a winged female figure in a black and red peplos (a long dress with short sleeves) decorated with incised lines. Her red face is in profile, her black hair falls upon her shoulders, and she wears a polos (a type of crown or headdress). Her wings are formed of red and black diagonal bands that, with the incised lines, create the effect of feathers. She grasps the neck of a red and black swan in each hand. The figure is a "Mistress of the Animals," or Potnia Theron, a female deity commonly associated with the goddess Artemis, displaying her power over animals.

Black-figure vase painting is categorized by figures drawn in black silhouette, the internal details of which are created with incised lines as well as the addition of red and white pigments. It first emerges in Corinth in the mid-7th century BCE but developed into the full Corinthian style in the last quarter of the century. Corinthian style pottery often uses Near Eastern, or “Orientalizing,” motifs, depicting real and mythological animals in registers crowded with incised rosettes.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Dr. Hugo Weissman, Boston [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1954, 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, Corinth (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 4 7/16 × Diam: 2 3/8 in. (11.3 × 6 cm)

Credit Line

Museum purchase with funds provided by the S. & A.P. Fund, 1954

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.

48.2064

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Hours

  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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