Circa 470-460 BC A classical-form lekythos with a pyriform body above a disk-form base, a strip handle and a long neck ending in a trumpet-form mouth. It is made from light-coloured clay painted with an evolving type of black-figure technique. From 470-460 BC this style of lekythos was limited to funerary use, where it was to be found placed in a tomb. They were only used once and therefore were not exposed to the elements. As a result of this evolution in their use, the iconography also evolved to be centred on funerary scenes, like farewells and lamentations, representations of the deceased in life, for example, seated in front of the very tomb. In some cases the painter has represented a lekythos next to the deceased. Other scenes have been inspired by mythology. In this way we can find Charon crossing the river Styx, or Hermes as a psychopomp guiding a deceased soul, or Hypnos and Thanatos carrying the owner of the tomb to the Underworld. For similar see: J.D. Beazley, Attic Red-Figure Vase-Painters, vol. II, London, 1984. Size: L:190mm / W:67mm; 282g. Provenance: Property of a London collector; Formerly in Dr. Med. G.S. collection, Nuremberg, 1958-2003; Hans Piehler collection (1847-1961); previously Art for Eternity, NYC., # 12781.