Ancient Greece, Athens (Attic), ca. 5th century BCE. A beautiful wheel-thrown pottery lekythos - a vessel used to hold perfumes or other scented oils - finely painted via the black-figure technique with extensive incised details as well. The figurative panel depicts two draped opposing figures standing in profile with a pair of Greek hoplite soliders wielding spears and shields between them. Contributing further to this iconographic program is a pair of laurel leaves as well as a stylized rooster adorning the vessel's shoulder. To the Romans, the rooster was an agricultural symbol, but was also a companion of the god Mercury. A lovely example, replete with intriguing iconography, strong black-figure technique, and a classic form. Size: 6.125" H (15.6 cm)
Lekythoi were used for storing oil used for a wide variety of purposes in the Classical World. While larger examples were usually designated for keeping olive oil, smaller more delicate examples like this one were reserved for the bath to store precious unguents of sweet and floral aromas. This beautiful vessel was most likely created for an elegant lady's toilette.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#149754
Condition
Chips to spout and base. Missing handle, abrasions where it was once attached. Spout possibly reattached. Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Painted program remains vivid.