Aryballos

Etrusco-Corinthian piriform aryballos (pointed base with conical hollow in bottom, flat broad rim, small band-handle). Painted decoration: band above base; frieze of three running dogs to right between bands of brown and red; tongues on shoulder, rays on upper lip, horizontal lines on handle. Fabric very fine-textured, buff with slight traces of sparkling mica; paint dull, dark brown and dark purple-red. Similar to genuine Corinthian fabric, the paint is rather fugitive, leaving a “ghost,” and the clay has turned grayish green where it was fired too hot.