Greek, Middle Corinthian 600-570 B.C. Clay, dark red matt paint.

H. 6 7/32 in; 15.8 cm. Dm. of mouth: 5 1/8 in; 13 cm
 

A sturdy pyxis with a broad rim and a low, conical ring foot. Three handle appliques in the shape of female busts (perhaps sirens) rise up from the shoulder and touch the rim of the mouth. Two animal friezes framed by double dotted bands decorate the body of the vessel. Shoulder frieze: sirens, swans and panthers. Belly frieze: striding panthers, grazing ram, siren, swans (?) and three other quadrupeds. Rosettes in the interstices; guilloche at the lip; rays above the foot. Concentric circles on the mouth and base. Busts mould-made and applied; traces of polychromy on eyes, hair and garment. Such pyxides were used in the women's quarters as containers for jewellery or cosmetics.
 

Much of the painted decoration of the vessel has faded.

The contours are clearly incised. Reassembled from large and medium-sized fragments; two fairly small restorations to the belly; joins closed and retouched. Cracks on two protomes; the face of one head slightly worn.

With Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel, acquired 19.02.1965 from V. Z., Lugano. Published: Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel. Sonderliste L, May 1969, no. 22 (with illus). Thereafter priv. coll. Dr. Frank Hieronymus (1930-2022), Basel, acquired from Münzen und Medaillen AG at KAM Basel, 22 February - 4 March 1973 (list no. 38).