Category details
Categoryaryballoi
Alternative termsaryballos
SourceArt & Architecture Thesaurus
Overview
Relatively small ancient Greek vessels with a globular body, a short neck, a flat disk-shaped mouth with a small orifice, and a handle (or sometimes two) extending from the shoulder to the rim; used for holding oils, perfumes, and ointments. They are made of terracotta and were used by athletes who wore them on their wrists, suspended by thongs or strings. Aryballoi also had important uses in funeral rituals.