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Terracotta amphoriskos (flask) in the form of a bird-man

late 5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 156
This extraordinary vase of a bird-man, of high technical quality, is unique among the examples of Attic black-glazed pottery known today. It almost certainly relates to Aristophanes' well-known comedy The Birds (first produced in 415/414 B.C.) and may represent the costume that would have been worn by members of the chorus in the fifth century B.C.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta amphoriskos (flask) in the form of a bird-man
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: late 5th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; black-glaze
  • Dimensions: Overall: 7 x 3 1/4 in. (17.8 x 8.3 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Christos G. Bastis Gift, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.68
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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