White-Ground Alabastron: An Altar Flanked by a Man and a Standing Youth
Datecirca 440 B.C.E.
MediumEarthenware with slip-painted and cold-painted decoration
DimensionsHeight: 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Credit LineThe F.B. Tarbell Collection, Gift of E.P. Warren, 1902
Object number1967.115.355
Status
Not on viewThe alabstron was used by women to contain perfumes or oils. The scene illustrated here is one of male courtship between a mature lover, or erastes, and a youth, or eromenos. The older man, characterized by his beard and walking stick, gazes intently at the younger one, who appears to be about to drop a flower onto the altar.
Smart Publications:
The Classical Collection
circa last quarter of 5th century B.C.E.
circa 5th - 1st century B.C.E.
2nd century B.C.E.
late 3rd - 2nd century B.C.E.
late 2nd - early 1st century B.C.E.
late 6th - early 5th century B.C.E.
circa 350 B.C.E.
circa 480 - 470 B.C.E.
early - mid 5th century B.C.E.
circa early 5th century B.C.E.
circa late 6th century B.C.E.