Italy, Roman / 200s CE
Oil Ampulla in the Form of a Dancing Bear
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Oil Ampulla in the Form of a Dancing Bear as sculpture (Italy, Roman · 200s CE).
This ampulla was likely used to carry oil to the baths in antiquity.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as bronze.
The museum's collection notes: This bronze bear sits on its hindquarters with its front paws raised, head slightly turned left, and mouth gaping open. It wears a collar around its neck with two rings on either side, where a chain would be passed through to suspend the ampulla. The bear’s head is hinged at the back of the collar to open the vessel, with the lower jaw forming a spout. The eyes were once pierced to prevent an airlock within the ampulla. Bears, like many other animals in antiquity, were used as a form of entertainment, demonstrated here by the bear’s “dancing” pose.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtOil Ampulla in the Form of a Dancing BearOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.