The artwork depicted is a “Terracotta Aryballos in the Form of a Helmeted Head,” created around 575 BC by artists of Ancient Greek Pottery. As part of the Archaic art movement, this piece serves both as a portrait and a utensil within the genre of Relief and plastic. The medium used to craft this object is terracotta, and it is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, US.
Now, let’s describe the artwork. The aryballos is a small rounded vessel with a narrow neck and a wide, flat lip that would have been used to contain oil or perfume. The form of this aryballos mimics that of a helmeted head, likely representing a warrior or a deity associated with warfare. The sculpture exhibits characteristics of Archaic Greek art, such as stylized features and geometric patterns. The surface of the piece shows significant signs of age, with chipped paint and wear indicating its antiquity. The helmet is depicted in a realistic fashion considering the style and time period, detailed with decorative patterns that remain visible despite the wear. The base of the aryballos is flat so it can stand upright, and it is decorated with more geometric designs, which were common in the decorative arts of Archaic Greece.
