Terrracotta Aryballos in the Form of Cockleshells in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 2007

Terracotta aryballos (oil flask) in the form of three cockleshells
Greek, Attic, late 6th century BC
Inscribed on the lip, "The boy is fair"

Accession # 23.160.33

Such small bottles held the olive oil used by athletes to cleanse themselves after exercise. This exquisite vase is embellished with black and red lines that accentuate the outer rims of the three shells.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.