Magna Graecia, South Italy, Apulia, ca. 350 to 325 BCE. Finely painted via the red-figure technique with delicate details added in fugitive orange-yellow pigment, a two part covered lekanis vessel on a raised foot with twin horizontal loop handles; the lid adorned with two Ladies of Fashion, both wearing a radiate stephane, kekryphalos, drop earrings, and beaded necklaces, with palmettes between, rays on the top knob handle, a diagonal fret pattern around the lid rim, and a vertical fret pattern around the rim of the base. Size: 11.25" W handlespan x 8.75" H (28.6 cm x 22.2 cm)

Lidded lekanides were cosmetic containers, often given by fathers to brides on their wedding day. The Lady of Fashion motif complements this; it is often thought to depict a young woman on her wedding day. Each attractive female depicted on this vessel wears a kekryphalos hairstyle, earrings, and a beaded necklace.

For a similar example, see Margaret Mayo, "The Art of South Italy Vases from Magna Graecia. A Virginia Museum Exhibition."

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection acquired before 2000

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#126225

Bottom section repaired from six to eight pieces. Lid is intact with staining to underside that does not penetrate to the painted surface. Minor surface scuffs, but much pigment remains and the imagery is very vivid.