Etrusco-Corinthian Aryballos in Form of a Hare and a Boar

Culture: Etruscan

Period: 6th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 17.8 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 4155

Provenance: Collection Claudio Righetti, Bern, Switzerland, in the 1980s. Last in the private collection S., Bern, Switzerland.

Condition: Painting in some places faded, but the vessel is excellently preserved.

Description: Very rare and in high-quality worked out terracotta jar for ointments in form of a mixed creature. The right side of the vase is worked out as a crouching hare, the left side is a boar in the same position. The hare with long ears resting on the back and vigilant eyes looking straight forward. The fur on the body is decorated with black dots applied in diligent regularity. The boar shares with the hare the snout, but its eye is clearly larger and set back. At the level of the hare’s eye flaunts the strong fang. The ear of the boar is small and protruding, at the back a short, curved tail resting on the jar. The fur is indicated by fine, also diligently applied lines. On the back of the jar a funnel-shaped opening with a vertical rim serving as a pouring hole and spout. A jar for ointments (aryballos) of extraordinary artistry. See for the material and for the painting the hare in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston with the object number 2010.1850.