Container in the Form of an African's Head

Probably Etruscan 4th/2nd Century B.C.

National Gallery of Art

A bronze vessel in the shape of a person’s head and neck faces us with the chin tilted slightly up in this photograph. The surface has aged to form a natural green patina, which is most intense at the inner corners of the lidded eyes. The head has a square jaw, wide nose, closed mouth, and short, stylized curly hair. The pouring spout emerges from the top center of the head. The rim of the spout flares like ears on either side and is pierced with a small circular hole. A ring hangs on our right side, resting against the hair. A row of circles has been incised or punched around the neck of the spout and around the neck of the person, near the chin. Each circle is punched with a dot at its center. Bands of circles decorate the flaring foot of the vessel as well.