Lekythoi had both a functional and a ritual context for the ancient Greeks. Within daily life, they were used as flasks to hold precious ointments such as fragrant perfumes and sumptuous oils. They also used in funerary rites, specifically the white-ground varieties. These lekythoi, often decorated with scenes of mourning, would have been left on the grave as offerings or used to pour libations over the deceased. This lekythos, however, clearly was meant for the living and not for the dead.This particular lekythos is attributed to the Class of Athens 581. This Class of vases includes a large number of lekythoi are distinguished by a body that tapers steadily to the foot, the use of palmettes, buds, or rays (as is the case here) on the shoulders, and backgrounds with leafy branches. Lekythoi of this Class have been found in a tumulus for the Plataeans who died at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., making this Class one of the few dateable black-figure vase styles. - (X.0072)

Antiquities
Ancient Greek