Corinthian Pottery Lebes Gamikos

Ancient Greece, Corinth, ca. early 6th century BCE. A gorgeous wheel-thrown pottery lebes gamikos with an inverted bell-shaped body, a planar shoulder, a raised rim fit with a discoid lid, and a pair of applied strap handles, all atop a ring-form foot. The lid displays a lovely hemispherical form with a circular, flared handle. Beautiful remains of black and red pigment adorn both the body and lid, presenting a multi-register design of horizontal and starburst striations, as well as a petaloid motif. Size: 3.25" in diameter x 3.75" H (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm)

The lebes gamikos (plural lebetes gamikoi) is an important and highly symbolic vessel created in the Classical world. Ornate designs characterize this particular style, and were used primarily in times of great happiness or immense sorrow. This form of pottery is used during ancient marriage ceremonies. Its name literally translates to "marriage vase," and it was used to ritualistically sprinkle the bride with water prior to the wedding. Lebetes gamikoi were also an integral component of funerary rituals, used to consecrate the body of and act as a grave marker for women who died without experiencing the act of betrothal.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private T. G. collection, Williston, Florida, USA, #2897, acquired in 2001; ex-Mike Sigler collection, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA

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#166784
Condition Report: Repair and restoration to 1 handle. Expected surface wear with some nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigment.