Description
| ITEM | Squat lekythos with palmettes |
| MATERIAL | Pottery |
| CULTURE | Greek |
| PERIOD | 5th – 4th Century B.C |
| DIMENSIONS | 105 mm x 60 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition |
| PROVENANCE | Ex European private collection, Ex Nina Borowski – Archaeologie (1974), Ex Galerie George Krimitsos, Paris (1971 – 1973) |
The Greek squat lekythos is a small oil vessel characterized by its broad body, short neck, and narrow mouth. Unlike the taller, more slender variants used primarily in funerary contexts, the squat lekythos was often intended for daily use, particularly in storing perfumed oils and ointments. Its manageable size and shape made it ideal for personal grooming rituals or religious offerings, commonly found in both domestic and sacred settings across the Greek world from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.
One of the most distinctive decorative elements on squat lekythoi is the palmette motif. This stylized design, based on the fan-like form of a palm leaf, became a hallmark of Greek ceramic decoration, often appearing on shoulder zones or as framing elements. In the case of squat lekythoi, palmettes frequently appear in symmetrical arrangements—sometimes in pairs, back-to-back, or linked with tendrils—lending a sense of balance and elegance to the vessel. The motif served both decorative and symbolic purposes, possibly alluding to regeneration or divine protection.
These vessels were typically painted using the black-figure or red-figure techniques, depending on their period and regional origin. The palmette designs were rendered with precision, often accompanied by lotus flowers or scrolls, emphasizing the Greek appreciation for stylized natural forms. The careful placement of such motifs, even on small objects, reflects the high aesthetic standards of ancient Greek pottery workshops and their mastery of pattern and proportion.
