Corinthian Round-Bodied Pyxis

An animal frieze encircles the body of this Corinthian black-figure pyxis. Real and mythological creatures, including lions, a goat, a bull, and a bearded siren, make up the decoration. Their stylized, sharply outlined bodies rhythmically balance against one another. Rosettes fill the spaces around the animals. Above this, a lotus and palmette chain decorates the shoulder of the vessel. In place of handles, the potter has added mold-made female heads. 

The pyxis was a container for perfumed oils and cosmetics. Beginning around 575 B.C., Corinthian potters occasionally added mold-made heads to these vessels. By the early 500s B.C., Corinthian pottery dominated the market for figure-decorated vessels and was widely exported throughout the Mediterranean.