We are delighted to have a lekythos jar on loan to our Classics Collection.
This original ancient Greek jar dates to the fifth century BC. A lekythos is a type of ancient Greek vessel used for storing oil, especially olive oil. It has quite a narrow body with one handle attached to the neck of the vessel. It is narrow and has no pouring lip. Lekythoi were often used in funerary rites.
This one uses the white ground technique of vase painting, which was too fragile for most items in regular use. Because of the handle they were normally only decorated with one image, on the other side from the handle.