Lekythoi were thought to be used primarily as religious or decorative objects. In particular, lekythoi were used to hold oil or perfume, most commonly during religious ceremonies. Funerary rituals would be one such religious ritual for which the lekythos would be used. This claim is substantiated by the fact that lekythoi have been found in and around tombs and excavated from ancient homes. It can be hypothesized that this type of usage is partially because the decorative style of the painting on lekythoi.

               The subject matter of lekythoi usually deals with common daily activities or rituals. This means that lekythoi often depict scenes of an individual's daily existence; some of the activities shown may be mundane tasks. Other lekythoi may illustrate funerary rights or a scene of loss or a sense of departure. The figures found on lekythoi are often outline drawings that are somber in appearance and generally lack emotion. These interpretations lend themselves to the belief that lekythoi may have been used in funerary capacities or as a decoration.

               This particular lekythos from the Sweet Briar College Collection dates from around the 5th Century BCE. It is in the red-figure style and 15 centimeters by 5.5 centimeters in size.

               This Sweet Briar lekythos has a round base painted with black and brown colors. A cylindrical jug sits atop the base. The jug is predominantly black with a delicate geometric pattern directly above and below the black area. On the black background, between the geometric strips is a figure. Above are black geometric decorations on a brown background leading up to the neck of the lekythos. The neck of the lekythos is brown and has a wider black mouth which has been broken off. There is also a black and brown painted handle connected to the neck of the lekythos.

               This lekythos depicts a red figure on a painted black background. The figure is an outlined woman with one hand outstreched in front of her. The woman's clothing is draped over her. Her body is facing one direction and her face is turned so that her profile faces the same direction. The woman is extending her hand to something ahead of her.

               The size and decoration of the Sweet Briar lekythos leads the viewer to question whether it served a practical purpose or was merely decorative in nature. The Sweet Briar lekythos is small in size. The neck is very slender and fragile looking. The handle is not sturdy and likely would not support a large amount of pressure. Because of this it would seem that the vessel would serve well for storage or for cooking practices.

               The complex red-figure decorative style of the Sweet Briar lekythos suggests that it was likely owned by someone with material wealth. All these observations suggest that the lekythos may not have been intended for daily use.

Decorated Pottery