Black-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Seated Men, Warriors and Horse Greek, Attic

Black-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Seated Men, Warriors and Horse

c. 510–500 BCE

attributed to Leagros Group

(Greek, Attic, active c. 520–500 BCE)

Greek, Attic

ceramic

Overall: 31.7 cm (12 1/2 in.)

Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1929.134

Location: 102B Greek

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Did You Know?

As usual for lekythoi painted by the Leagros Group, seven palmettes decorate the shoulder.

Description

Four men decorate the body of this sturdy oil vessel, perhaps in a scene of homecoming. Unlike on later, white-ground lekythoi, the painter has used white only as an accent—now faded—on the shield and the clothing and broad-brimmed hats of some of the men. The letters scattered across the background do not spell any recognizable Greek words, perhaps suggesting an illiterate painter and/or clientele.