Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)

Attributed to the Phiale Painter
ca. 440–430 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 159
Youth arming

The sureness and fluency of the Phiale Painter's drawing is evident in this representation. The placement of the helmet within a large area of black glaze in the center of the composition effectively suggests that the warrior may not return. By contrast with many lekythoi of the second quarter of the fifth century B.C. that are entirely covered with glaze, the clay-colored shoulder with black-figure decoration presents a lighter aspect.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Phiale Painter
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: ca. 440–430 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H.: 14 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. (36.2 x 11.1 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
  • Object Number: 08.258.23
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.