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Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)

Attributed to the Amasis Painter
ca. 550–530 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 154
On the shoulder, women dancing between musicians playing flute and lyre
On the body, wedding procession

This is the earliest and most complete known representation of an Attic wedding. The bridal couple with the best man behind them sit in a cart drawn by two donkeys. A mule cart with four guests follows. Other members of the procession are on foot. The woman in the lead holds two torches, indicating that the scene takes place at night. The procession heads toward the bridegroom's house where a woman, probably the mother of the groom, awaits. The architecture of the house is carefully indicated; the white columns of the porch may be painted wood.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Amasis Painter
  • Period: Archaic
  • Date: ca. 550–530 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Walter C. Baker Gift, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.11.1
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

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Fragment of a terracotta kylix: band-cup (drinking cup), Amasis Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Fragment of a terracotta kylix: band-cup (drinking cup)
Amasis Painter
ca. 550 BCE
Terracotta amphora (jar), Amasis Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta amphora (jar)
Amasis Painter
ca. 550 BCE
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup), Amasis Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Amasis Painter
ca. 540 BCE
Terracotta amphora (jar)
Amasis Painter
ca. 550–530 BCE
Terracotta aryballos (oil flask), Amasis Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta aryballos (oil flask)
Amasis Painter
ca. 550 BCE

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