Lekythoi were used in Ancient Greece to preserve and pour perfumed oil and ointments: its particular shape limited the release of the content and was suitable to prevent waste. Lekythoi were mainly used at baths and gymnasiums and for funerary offerings, as they were sometimes used for anointing dead bodies. Whilst they could hold a range of perfumed oils and ointments, they were usually used to hold olive oil. They are characterised by their narrow bodies with thin necks, a single handle, and a flat rim without a pouring lip. This example, as with the majority, was painted, as evidenced by the bands of paint faintly visible around the body of the vessel. Decoration ranged from detailed white-ground lekythoi with figural scenes or simple geometric patterns. They are one of the most abundantly found shapes and show us a glimpse of daily life in ancient Greek society; the humble pottery vessel used by a multitude of women for daily and ritual tasks.
To discover more about ancient Greek vases and their uses, please see our blog post: Collecting Guide: Types of Ancient Greek Vase
