Balsamarium in the Form of a Boxer's Head

Wearing a tight leather helmet, this ancient boxer grimaces fiercely and aggressively confronts the viewer. A curled lip reveals the gaps of missing teeth. His expression causes muscles in his face to stand out along his jaw, cheeks, neck, temples and forehead. His cheeks are clean-shaven, but small tufts of hair bristle at the corners of his mouth. Originally, his eyes and teeth were inlaid with silver, and a handle was attached to the holes on either side of his head. The vessel served as a balsamarium or situla, a container for holding ointments or oils. Athletes often used such unguents after practice or competition, and so the head of a boxer is an especially appropriate choice for this type of vessel. Though the face looks distinctive, it is best seen as a generic image or type. If offers a stereotyped, or perhaps even exaggerated, depiction of an experienced boxer.