Lekanis with lid, terracotta, Ancient Greece (probably Beotia), 5th century BC.

Small ancient ceramic vessel of the type lekanis, dated to 5th century p. Ch. , probably originating in Beotia in central Greece. A vessel with a low, flattened body, with two thin, rising handles and a matching lid ending in a flat button. Made of fine-grained clay with a orange-red shadecovered with dark firnis and decorated with a band of vertical zigzags in brown-black.

On the underside is visible an undersized ring foot With concentric circles and lathe marks. Preserved museum numbering applied in ink. The surface of the dish shows typical traces of reduction firing, local discoloration, loss of phirnis and mineral deposits, but the whole is preserved in complete form with the original lid.

Lekanis was used in ancient Greece for storing cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and small ornaments. Vessels of this type accompanied women in daily life, and were also placed in graves as a items of personal use with symbolic significance.