Christie Painter

The water jar (hydria) was one of the most common vessel shapes in classical Athens. Two horizontal handles on each side were for lifting the vessel when full, and the vertical handle at the back was for pouring or for carrying the hydria while empty. Used predominantly by women, hydriai were often decorated with scenes featuring women. The elegantly painted scene on this vessel of an Athenian woman in her normative role as manager of her household - can interpreted in two ways. The baskets flanking her, commonly used to hold wool, could refer to her duties of spinning and making garments for her family. The image could also be prophetic: about to be married, the woman looks into the mirror, suggesting a view into her future.