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Image
3D Model
© Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Girona
Omeka ID 158
Empúries
Colonisations

theriomorphic askos with head of Achelous

MAC GIR-000005

Object type
askos
Production date
-599 / -475
Fabric
fine Ionian pottery
Museum
Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Girona
Culture
Colonisations
Discovery location
Empúries
Materials
pottery
Township
Escala, l' (Europa, Espanya, Catalunya, Girona, Alt Empordà)
Technique
moulding
Where is it?
MASPG
Dimensions
114 x 210 x 860 mm
Description
Clay vessel in the form of an askos, with a bearded male head at one end. The triangular-shaped head is represented turned to one side of the piece, with ears and, above, two horns or antlers that have led to its identification with the river god Achelous. The body, which is to contain liquid, is elongated in shape reminiscent of a leather wineskin -which the Greek term askos refers to -, ending in a pointed rear end raised and with a hole to pour out the contents. The back has a larger circular opening, framed by a spout, used to fill the container, possibly with wine. Below, three small solid legs with tapered profile were used to support the piece. On the thin slip surface covering, the painted decoration consists of vertical stripes, alternating bands of black paint with thinner ones in a vinous tone. It is a vessel in Ionian tradition, but western Greek production, probably produced in the workshops of the Phocaean colony of Massalia. The morphology of this piece can interpret it as a vessel for ritual use, intended for libations in the sphere of worship or to the burial area. It was found in Empúries, but the context is unknown origin. However, it could be part of the grave goods in an archaic Greek tomb in the necropolis of Portitxol, which suffered intense plundering in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The piece entered the museum's collections when it was purchased in September 1896.

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