Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)

During the sixth century BCE, Athenian potters developed a type of oil and perfume vessel (lekythos) characterized by a white surface. Used as offerings to the dead, these vases often represent the deceased by their grave, here a young man indicated by the tiny winged figure flying before him, meeting a family member. The winged figure represents the soul (or eidolon) of the deceased, and it brings one of its hands on its forehead in sign of lament and sorrow.
















During the sixth century BCE, Athenian potters developed a type of oil and perfume vessels (lekythoi) characterized by a white surface decorated with very fine scenes. These images became quintessential to the Classical style during the fifth century. Used as offerings to the dead, these funerary vases often represent the deceased by their grave – here a young man indicated by the tiny, winged figure flying before him – meeting a family member – here a young woman. The winged figure represents the soul (or eidolon) of the deceased, and it brings one of its hands on its forehead in sign of lament and sorrow.