Terracotta loutrophoros (ceremonial vase for water)
On the body, obverse, prothesis (laying out of the deceased) with mourners; reverse, mourners
On the neck, obverse and reverse, mourners
On the subsidiary frieze, horsemen
The iconography of this vase is canonical for a loutrophoros. Of interest is the subsidiary frieze of horsemen. Horses play a significant role in funerary iconography, in the form of war chariots, racing chariots, or riders. The reference will be to the status of the deceased, for ownership of a horse in ancient Athens was a mark of wealth and privilege.
On the neck, obverse and reverse, mourners
On the subsidiary frieze, horsemen
The iconography of this vase is canonical for a loutrophoros. Of interest is the subsidiary frieze of horsemen. Horses play a significant role in funerary iconography, in the form of war chariots, racing chariots, or riders. The reference will be to the status of the deceased, for ownership of a horse in ancient Athens was a mark of wealth and privilege.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta loutrophoros (ceremonial vase for water)
- Period: Archaic
- Date: last quarter of 6th century BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 29 3/8 in. (74.6 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.70.1
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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