Ancient Greece, Cyprus, Late Cypriot III, ca. 1200 to 1175 BCE. A wonderful pottery askos (vessel used to store perfumed oils) - hand-built and modeled so as to depict a rather sizeable fish. The aquatic animal is generally minimalist in form, but with sweet details including applied round eyes with incised irises, a dorsal fin, and a caudal fin (tail). There is a perforation at the top for filling and the mouth is open for pouring. Size: 9.125" L x 3.625" in diameter (23.2 cm x 9.2 cm)

See a similar example, though created with a handle and feet, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession Number 74.51.788) in Gallery 173 - https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/240375 - The curatorial team states that this type most likely imitates a Mycenaean prototype of the late 13th century BCE.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#139845

Chip on top of head between the eyes. Nicks to surrounds of openings at top and through mouth. Abrasions/losses to dorsal fin. Tail reattached. Expected surface wear with mineral deposits commensurate with age.