Black-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Seated Men, Warriors and Horse

c. 510–500 BCE

attributed to Leagros Group

(Greek, Attic, active c. 520–500 BCE)

Culture

Greek, Attic

Medium

ceramic

Measurements

Overall: 31.7 cm (12 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1929.134

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Location

102B Greek

Did You Know?

As usual for lekythoi painted by the Leagros Group, seven palmettes decorate the shoulder.

Description

Four men decorate the body of this sturdy oil vessel, perhaps in a scene of homecoming. Unlike on later, white-ground lekythoi, the painter has used white only as an accent—now faded—on the shield and the clothing and broad-brimmed hats of some of the men. The letters scattered across the background do not spell any recognizable Greek words, perhaps suggesting an illiterate painter and/or clientele.