New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Black-Figure Vessel (Lekythos)

Artist Phanyllis Group (Greek (Athens), 520 BCE - 510 BCE)

Date520 - 510 B.C.E.

MediumTerracotta

DimensionsOverall: 12 1/2 x 7 in. (31.8 x 17.8 cm)

ClassificationsGreco-Roman

Credit LineGiven in honor of Christine Coggins Rowland by her husband, Dr. Robert C. Rowland, and daughters, Lisa and Anne

Object number92.51

Terms

Figurative
Males
Female
Chariot driver
Warriors
Black
Orange
White
Athens, Greece

Collections

Ancient Mediterranean Art

On View

On view

DescriptionThis Attic Black-Figure-style lekythos (olive-oil jar) was made during the last quarter of the 6th century B.C. (ca. 520-510 B.C.). It is made from clay. Before firing, the technique involves painting the object with a black organic slip (refined from the clay) which was incised, allowing the orange color of the fabric of the vessel to show through and provide detail for the figures. As the technique developed, touches of decorative white and dark red were occasionally added before firing. By alternately firing the vessels in a high oxygen environment and a low oxygen environment, the organic matter in the painted slip turned a glossy black, while the iron in the clay of the vessel itself combined with the oxygen to yield a rich orange coloration. This lekythos depicts a scene of a female chariot driver, she is wearing a long white gown and holding a whip. The chariot is drawn by four horses, and a bird in flight appears above the horses' backs. A male warrior-figure, wearing armor and holding a shield and staff, stands behind the chariot; another similarly dressed male figure stands in front of the horses. The shoulder of the vase has been decorated with a common abstract design of "palmettes on oes." The mouth, handle, and foot of this object are black, as is the lower third of the body.

Label TextBlack-Figure Vessel (Lekythos) Phanyllis Group, Greek (Athens), 520–510 B.C.E. Terracotta Given in honor of Christine Coggins Rowland by her husband, Dr. Robert C. Rowland, and daughters, Lisa and Anne 92.51