Ca. 590-570 BC A pottery aryballos with a bulbous body and a slightly flattened base, decorated with a procession of four hoplites in red and black. The stylised figures of warriors with large circular shields, helmets, and spears represent the martial spirit of the time. Circumferential rings adorn the shoulder, and a radiating design decorates the base of the short, squat neck. The wide, recessed spout features a small opening and a thick, pronounced rim with pellets on the exterior edge. An aryballos is a small, spherical or globular flask used in ancient Greece primarily for storing and dispensing perfumed oils. These vessels were particularly popular among athletes, who used the oils during their training and bathing routines. Made from materials such as clay, glass, or metal, aryballoi typically featured a narrow neck, a wide mouth, and one or two handles for easy handling and pouring. The compact size and convenient shape made them ideal for personal use, and they could easily be carried on a string or strap. For similar see: The Michael C. Carlos Museum, Object number 2018.010.473. 70mm x 70mm; 75g Provenance: Property of a central London gallery, previously acquired on the Dutch art market; previously acquired on the Belgian art market; Hugo Lievens, Brussels 1982. #ancientolympics