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Miniature terracotta squat lekythos (oil flask) with siren

Attributed to the Seireniske Painter
mid-5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
In Greek mythology, sirens, human-headed birds known for their beautiful voices, were offen associated with the afterlife, and they appear frequently in Classical Greek funerary art. In addition to their mournful depictions on grave stelai, sirens were also an appropriate decoration for a lekythos, a type of vase often connected with death and burial ritual.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Miniature terracotta squat lekythos (oil flask) with siren
  • Artist: Attributed to the Seireniske Painter
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: mid-5th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 3 5/16 in. (8.5 cm.)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.162.123
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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