Plastic arybale in the form of a reclining fawn

ETRUSCO-CORINTHIAN ART
Early 6th century B.C.

Plastic arybale in the form of a reclining fawn

Fine beige clay
Slight wear to the decoration and small restoration to the head, otherwise intact
H. 9.5 cm ; L. 8.5 cm

Provenance: Dr. H. C. S. Schweitzer, Sotheby's London, July 15, 1980, lot no. 85
Sotheby's London, 5 July 1982, lot n. 293
Galerie A la reine Margot, exhibition catalog Mémoire de la Beauté, La toilette et la parure de l'Egypte Prédynastique aux mérovingiens, Paris 27 October - 31 December 1987, n. 39 (illustrated)

Probably imitated from contemporary Corinthian models, this delicate bottle is a refined example of Etruscan production from the early 6th century BC. This fawn with a speckled coat is lying on its folded legs. The cap is the head of the mammal with erect ears, on the lookout. The small size, attention to detail and high quality of this toilet vase are perfectly suited to the liquid it contained, probably a precious scented oil.