Canteen or Balsamarium

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Canteen or Balsamarium, by Unknown Artist, is a green, bulbous metal vessel with a short neck and cylindrical opening at the top. The vessel has two small handles on either side of the neck, each shaped like an animal's head. A long, braided chain is attached to the handles and extends down to the bottom of the vessel, forming a strap. The surface of the vessel features a series of concentric circles etched into it, with a darker green patina visible throughout. The background of the image is a gradient of dark gray to light gray, with the vessel casting a shadow on the surface below.