Marble vase with high foot and four lug handles

Cycladic

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 151

This type of vessel is also known as a kandila, named after modern oil lamps of similar shape that illuminate Greek Orthodox churches. Produced in marble and clay, kandilai typically held liquids, such as oil or wine. Cords strung through the pierced lugs around the body could be used to hang the vase or attach a lid. Frequently found in tombs with marble figures, the vessels may have served a function in funerary rituals.

Marble vase with high foot and four lug handles, Marble, Cycladic

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.