Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
ca. 440–430 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H.: 14 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. (36.2 x 11.1 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.258.23
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of Classical Athens with this elegant terracotta lekyth, an oil flask crafted by the Phiale Painter around 440–430 BCE.ic Greek potters like him specialized in these slender vessels, typically used to hold perfumed oils for daily rituals or as grave offerings. Standing just over 14 inches tall, graceful shape—narrow neck and bulbous body—made it perfect for pouring small amounts, while its white-ground technique allowed for delicate, detailed paintings that stand out against the pale clay slip. The Phiale Painter, named for his signature motif of a libation bowl, was a mas...