Pyxis
Unknown Artist
400–300 BCE
Medium
marble
Dimensions
h. 4.6 cm · diam. 7.7 cm
Classification
Stone
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade
Accession Number
1916.759
About this artwork
Pyxides came in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and materials in the ancient world. Images of pyxides in Greek art often show them being used by women, which has led scholars to believe that they may have been used to hold jewelry or cosmetics. This pyxis is one of few surviving examples made from stone, signifying that it may have had an elite owner.