Sicilian Terracotta Askos in Form of a Lying Bovine

Culture: Greek/Sicily

Period: Late 5th century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 15.4 cm long

Price: 2 400 Euro

Ref: 2603

Provenance: German private collection, acquired in the 1970s.

Condition: Intact with beautifully preserved colours.

Description: Wonderfully preserved, Sicilian terracotta askos in form of a lying bovine. The orange clay vessel is painted with red color on one side and brown on the other. The depiction shows branches and floral motives. Red dots and decorative bands on the head with a neck fold hanging far down. The mouth is trumpet-shaped, horns and ears are protruding on the sides. The eyes are bulging. At the back the tail is twisted in a spiral to the right, where it rests on the buttocks. In the centre of the back of the animal a cylindrical pouring hole, on the left side a long nozzle spout. The separately worked out handle, probably made of organic material, was once hung in the two protruding eyelets.