Ancient Greece, Athens (Attic), ca. 5th century BCE. A slender cylindrical vessel with a pronounced flat foot, a thin neck rising to a flared, flat rim, a small strap handle, and a tapered body. The body is decorated with two panels of cross-hatching, fretted lines enclosing a bifurcated section of leaves and berries. The shoulder displays a radiating register of ray band patterns, with additional black pigment adorning the foot, handle, and rim. Size: 2.375" W x 6.375" H (6 cm x 16.2 cm).

Lekythos vases were among the various offerings and monuments paying tribute to the deceased in Athenian cemeteries. Lekythos vessels traditionally held oil and were decorated in the white ground technique from the middle until the end of the fifth century BCE. The term white ground relates to the light slip coating on the body and shoulder of the vase. Upon this background, motifs were drawn in outline and then hand painted in rich colors. The vast majority of these vessels were created for burial with the dead or to be offerings presented at their graves.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#135335

Vessel repaired from multiple pieces with some areas of restoration and overpainting, resurfacing, small chips, and light adhesive residue along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, small chips to rim, handle, shoulder, body, and foot, with fading to some pigmentation, and light roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits and encrustations throughout.