An extremely rare form of an Etruscan anthropomorphic askos in the shape of Silenus. The vessel has a flat rim with the neck and shoulders formed to depict Silenus, the companion of Dionysus, portrayed as a bearded, fat, and bald old man with donkey ears. The belly of the askos has stylised arms and legs, and all are highlighted by black pigments. The askos is unique in its special style with the applied, knitted arms and legs in combination with the very finely elaborated face.
Etruscan: Circa late 6th - 5th century B.C.
Condition: The handle has been sympathetically restored as has the left ear, parts of the right ear, and a portion of the lip also. Otherwise, intact.
Height 15 cms (5.9 ins)
Provenance: Swiss coll. Basel-Landschaft. Purchased from Galleria Delvecchio, Ontario, Canada. Before that in British priv. coll. established during the 1980's.
Literature: For other askoi in the shape of heads, see: F. Knauss - J. Gebauer (eds.), Die Etrusker von Villanova bis Rom. Exhibition Munich (2015), page 200, also 234-235 Etruscan Art in the Met Museum: 6.58-6.61