Artwork Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Title

[Black-figure Palmette Lethykos] #2/ Perfume and Unguent Holder

Date

Early 5th Century BCE

Object Name

Artifact/Antiquity

Description

The lekythos has a elongated ovoid body with a funnel rim, circular mouth, and a handle on a cylindrical neck, all on a rounded echinus foot. The lekythos is decorated with rays painted on the shoulder and the body with a row of vertical conjoined palmettes. Made of clay the red and black come from the way it was fired, it is not paint. Possibly used to hold perfume. Sometime in early 5th century BCE, Hellenistic, Syro-Palestinian, Italy; according to Laurence Kelly, U.S. and Ancient History teacher at Venice High School and the Latin Museum Curator from 1968 to 1987, many of the Etruscan pieces were from the estate of Louis Napoleon (nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte), a major collector of Etruscan artifacts.

The piece was originally part of the collection of Venice High School (1932-1997). The piece is #26 on the inventory list. Ink: "E738.8938/set 2/lekythos/vis.ed. sec." According to an inventory conducted in 1988, it is a "tiny lekythos…one handle attached below lip…decorated with trees and lines on shoulder. Black trees on red."

Catalog Number

AA5

School Site #

1341

School Name

LAUSD Art & Artifact Archive/Museum

Dimension Details

4-1/2"h x 1-1/2"w (actual)

Material

Terracotta, painted and fired

Art School

Attic