This small vessel is painted in black figure: two friezes of ivy leaves frame the principle frieze. The principle frieze is decorated with a large triple palmette and two roosters parading to the left. Usually lydions are decoration with lines and bands: figural scenes are extremely rare.

The lydion is one of a number of shapes dedicated to holding perfume during the Archaic period. Originating in Lydia, this form was imported to and imitated throughout the Greek world (including Ionia, Laconia, and Attica) as well as in Etruria. The shape seems to have been made to hold a semi-solid product, like a pomade: the large opening would make it easy to get at such a product either with the fingers or a rod. A stopper, in wax or cork, probably covered the vessel.

This piece is published in Phoenix Ancient Art 2005, n. 1 (p. 91, n. 70) Click here to purchase catalog

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