Marble Funerary Lekythos in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, October 2009

Funerary Lekythos
Greek, Classical period
About 420-410 BC
Marble

# 38.1615

This marble grave marker borrows its shape from a type of ceramic oil flask, or lekythos, used in Greek funeral rites. The scene may portray a bride and her attendant, as the adornment of women and the presentation of perfume vessels and jewelry boxes allude to wedding preparations. Marriage was an event of primary importance in a Greek woman's life and a popular theme in Greek funerary art.

Text from the MFA label.