/internal/media/dispatcher/914012/resize%25253Aformat%25253DthumbnailOil flask (alabastron) in the form of a siren600–550 B.C.Height 6.6 x 9.3 cm (2 5/8 x 3 11/16 in.)Faience, mold-madeHenry Lillie Pierce Fund00.3641This alabastron takes the form of a siren, a composite creature with the body of a bird and the head of a woman. The female head is capped with heavy wig-like hair, the thick strands of which are marked by linear striations. The siren's eyes, small mouth, and chin are all carefully articulated, and recall Egyptian styles of representation. The body of the bird is entirely decorated with different patterns suggesting feathers: the chest has a series of small, overlapping semicircular marks, while the wings and tail are covered in linear rows. The small protrusions at the top of the body are pierced and might once have been strung, allowing the vessel's owner to easily carry it on a string. The siren sits atop a small rectangular base. The entire vessel is made of faience, greenish in color because of the glaze.Vessels6.60000000009.300000000011201