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Spherical pyxis
Early Aegean, Cycladic
Bronze Age, Early Cycladic II Period
about 2700–2200 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Marble
Dimensions
Height: 10.2 cm (4 in.); widest diameter, with handles: 14.5 cm; diameter of mouth 8.2 cm
Credit Line
John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund
Accession Number1972.866
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
DescriptionDepressed spherical shape with flattened bottom; small mouth surrounded by flaring offset lip; double semi-cylindrical lugs, pierced vertically, placed in middle of the body at the point of widest diameter. Intact. Slightly chipped around lip. Gold patina varying from dark to light; slight encrustation; some residue in bottom interior.
ProvenanceSaid to have been found near Marathon with MFA 1972.867, 868, 869; by the 1940s, with Nikolas Koutoulakis; by 1971: sold by Mr. Koutoulakis in Geneva to Robin Symes, 3 Ormond Yard, York Street, St. James's, London S.W. 1 (R. Symes, Ancient Art, June 1971, under no. 11, illus.); purchased by MFA from Robin Symes, September 13, 1972