Aryballos with animals Etrusco-Corintian, c. 570 BC. Pottery Height 6 cm PROVENANCE: Private collection, Switzerland since the 1970s. Part of the collection was on loan to the Archaeological Collection of the University of Zurich until the end of 2022. CONDITION: Good state, restored. DESCRIPTION: This typology of vase had its origin in Corinth, the city on the isthmus that joins the Peloponnese to continental Greece. Centuries later this type would be copied in Attic workshops. In Corinth, the master potters imitated the design of those perfume flasks made of coloured glass which were in use among the highest social classes, so as to be able to offer a more economical version. The spherical or globular aryballoi were exported all over the Mediterranean basin, and totally dominated the trade in small vases with the exception of some coming from the eastern Greek regions. Archaeologists claim that, already in the proto-Corinthian period (720-630 BC), artisans had developed the black-figure technique, using incisions and purple colour to emphasize certain details (Metropolitan Museum of New York n. 41.162.164). This innovative technique implied a differentiation in their art, as in Athens at that time the more abstract geometric motifs were still dominant. Notes: The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. The piece includes authenticity certificate. The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested. This process could take between 1 and 2 months. #MWFINDS