Anthenian Black-figured Lekythos
3683, Anthenian Black-figured Lekythos, Archaic Period; c. 490-470 B.C.
Artist: Haimon Painter workshop
Culture: Greek
Material: terracotta
Dimensions: h. 6 3/8 in 16.2 cm
A sphinx sits on a pedestal flanked by two seated and two standing elders, all leaning on sticks, attesting to their age. The artist, probably from the Haimon Painter workshop, uses the black figure technique, a type of vase painting in which the silhouettes of the figures is painted in black and then details are incised with a sharp tool. The sketch-like quality of the patterns and small-headed elongated figures are characteristic of the Haimon Painter and his workshop.