Marble vase with lug handles

Technical Analysis: Ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence examination, optical microscopy





This truncated conical vessel has slightly curved walls that rise up from a slightly convex, ring-like base and two perforated, fin-like lugs that diametrically protrude like handles. An anthropomorphic design on one side depicts a female torso – the lugs suggest the upper arms and incised lines describe the lower arms that bend toward two small, cylindrical breasts carved in relief. A horizontal incision indicates the top of a wide pelvic triangle and a curving incision at beginning of the thighs. Vertical incisions describe the space between the thighs.





The vessel’s small size fits well within the range of this type.(1) It resembles another example in the Ashmolean Museum presented by Sir Arthur Evans.(2) L.2022.38.124 is comparable in size. L.2022.38.25, nearly double in size, presents a similar but faint anthropomorphic decoration. Traces of a lathe drill, which were later smoothed, are still visible in the interior.





The surface is worn and is covered with beige accretions. There are scattered recent abrasions at the rim and outer edges of the lug handles. The vessel was restored from two fragments, with a diagonal break extending down from the proper left rim, across the breast, under the handle, and 1.5 cm above the base and back. There are two triangular fills approximately 4 cm in width for losses at the upper ends of the break.





Georgios Gavalas and Linda Borsch





(1) See Getz-Gentle, Pat. 1996. The Stone Vessels of the Cyclades in the Early Bronze Age. pp. 41-63, University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press. She refers to it as no. C4, with a possible provenance from “Naxos”.


(2) It is no. C1 in Getz-Gentle’s book cited above (Oxford Asmolean Museum, acc. no. 1938.727, presented by Sir Arthur Evans, no provenance), pp. 251-52, pl. 23a, figs. 22d, 23a, 25b and 27a, and refers to no. C8 (Athens Museum of Cycladic Art, no 57) pp. 252-53, pl. 23c, fig. 22b. It is also published in Sheratt, Susan. 2000. Catalogue of Cycladic Antiquities in the Ashmolean Museum: The Captive Spirit. acc. no. 1938.727, Vol. I, pp. 115-16, Vol.II, fig. 67, pls. 82-83, coll pl. 4, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. See also Doumas, Christos. 1968, The N.P. Goulandris Collection of Early Cycladic Art. no. 57, Athens: F.A. Praeger.