Greek, Athens
Lidded bowl (lekanis), about 430 ‑ 420 BC
Earthenware
7 1/4 × 15 7/8 × 11 1/4 in. (18.4 × 40.3 × 28.6 cm.)
Museum purchase  1966.36 a,b

Practical Storage
Wide, lidded bowls such as this were versatile household items in ancient Greece. They might hold toys, spices, thread, or small personal items used for grooming. The flat knob on the lid enabled it to be turned upside down and used as a shallow bowl for serving food. A bride might receive a lekanis as a wedding gift. Here, the simple black slip decoration emphasizes the elegant shape of the bowl.