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Museum Comarcal de l’Urgell-Tàrrega

Askos in black varnish shaped as a Nubian head

Askos of a Nubian head varnished a deep black, probably made in Sicily between 250 and 200 BC. Museum Comarcal de l’Urgell - Tàrrega.

Askos of a Nubian head varnished a deep black, probably made in Sicily between 250 and 200 BC. Museum Comarcal de l’Urgell - Tàrrega.

Askos (a recipient for liquids with a handle and spouts for pouring) in which the representation of the facial features is naturalistic, with the lips painted a deep red, the teeth painted white, and the braided hair tied back with a diadem. The piece has a spout in the upper part of the head and a careful inspection reveals signs that there was an upright handle on the back.

The form and the elaborate decoration point to its use, holding special materials for ceremonial purposes, or to its exotic origin.

It was found on Street 7 in the excavation at Molí d'Espígol, and dates from the period when the town was abandoned, around 200 BC.

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