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Unknown Maker, Greco-Roman

Funerary Vase

Maker

Unknown Maker, Greco-Roman

Culture

Greco-Roman

Title

Funerary Vase

Period

Ancient

Year

425-400 BCE

Medium

  • marble

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • marble

Materials

white island marble

Geography

Greek, Attica

Dimensions

Height: 20.2 cm (7 15/16 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Sharpe

Object Number

26.271

Type

  • Sculpture

Publications

  • Books

Classical Sculpture

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

Constructed to hold perfume or perfumed ointment, this marble vase may have been used for baths, banquets, or weddings. However, the primary function of the ointment vase (exaleiptron) was as a funerary gift. Several examples exist of white-ground lekythoi, or oil flasks, depicting these vases in use. The elaborate shape of the vase is too complex for it to have been carved from one piece of marble; such vases are usually assembled of six pieces, the base, stem, lower bowl, upper bowl, lid, and knob. The knob belonging to this vase has been lost.

Florence Koehler as Collector
Feb 13, 1981 – Mar 29, 1981

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More objects +

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Greco-Roman
Funerary Vase, 425-400 BCE
Marble
Height: 20.2 cm (7 15/16 inches)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Sharpe 26.271

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