Strigil
Date: 400-300 BCE
Dimensions:
9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
Medium: bronze
Place of Origin: Greece, found in Egypt
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1906.197
Label Text:Ancient Greek male athletes exercised and competed naked. Before exercising, they rubbed scented olive oil on their skin to keep the dirt out of the pores of the skin and perhaps also to avoid sunburn. After exercising, they used an instrument called a strigil to scrape off the oil, sweat, and dirt accumulated at the palaestra (gymnasium). Vase painters often show strigils, sponges, and small oil flasks in scenes of athletes.
On view
In Collection(s)