Terracotta vase in the form of a phallus

Unknown

ca. 550–500 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Phallus vases are a rare and distinctive feature of Archaic Greek pottery. They were used to store perfumed oils, presumably of an erotic or medicinal nature. This vase is the product of an East Greek workshop, probably on Rhodes. Archaic Greek potters fashioned sculptural vases in a wide variety of shapes, including human heads, legs, and animals. This particular class reflects an element of playfulness recurrent throughout Greek art.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 550–500 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Classical Purchase Fund, 1999