Lebes
Unknown Artist
c. 480–460 BCE
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
h. 25.4 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
Accession Number
1928.857
About this artwork
This bronze cauldron has a ring base with three spool feet. Appliqués shaped like birds with the heads of women decorate the shoulder on either side of the vessel. Two handles are fastened to loops on the top of each creature’s wings. The bird-women may represent sirens, mythical creatures that lured sailors with their singing, or harpies, wind spirits that stole food from the starving.