Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms

Roman

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 168

This flask was used to hold oil for cleaning the skin after athletic practice and competition. The swing handle and lid attached by a chain made it easy to carry and prevented spillage. The decoration itself evokes athletics. Statues of Hermes and Herakles, depicted here as herms, were traditionally set up in the palestra and the gymnasium where athletes trained.

Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms, Bronze, Roman

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Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms, Bronze, Roman
Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms, Bronze, Roman
Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms, Bronze, Roman
Bronze balsamarium decorated with lion-skins and herms, Bronze, Roman

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