The Lekythos (fig. 1) was found in a tomb which cannot be precisely identified, in the Phoenician-Punic necropolis of Sulky. This type of vessel is called by specialists “Squat (Aryballos) Lekythos”, as it is similar to the globular body of the Aryballos, another vascular form of Greek origin, which can be dated between the late sixth and fifth centuries B.C.

Fig. 1 - Attic Lekythos found in the necropolis of Sulky. Municipal Archaeological Museum "F. Barreca" (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

Fig. 2 - A typical Greek Aryballos decorated with black figures on a cream-coloured background (from http://www.antika.it/005070_vasi-greci-forme-e-tecnica.html).

This example, in black paint with red figures, was found in fragments and then reassembled for the most part, leaving a wide gap in the body (fig. 3). The vessel has a narrow neck and a mouth like a funnel; the body is globular with the image of the profile of a woman's face, looking to the right.

Fig. 3 - Attic Lekythos found in the necropolis of Sulky, detail of the gap. Municipal Archaeological Museum "F. Barreca" (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

This is a widespread shape in the Phoenician-Punic world and it falls within the framework of the trade between east Phoenicians and Greeks from the early moments of the Phoenician expansion in the West (IX-VIII century B.C.) where, among the various products, the fine tableware which this particular type of vase belongs to, was in circulation. The Lekythos from the first half of the sixth century B.C. has a globular shape (like the specimen from Sulky) i.e. tends to a spherical form, like a globe, or an ovoid one (fig. 4). The so-called standard shape will develop from these around the end of the sixth century B.C. (fig. 5).

Fig. 4 - Egg-shaped Lekythos (from http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lekythos#/media/File:KAMA_Guerrier_s%27armant.jpg).

Fig. 5 - Lekythos in its characteristic standard shape (from http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lekythos#/media/File:NAMA_Act%C3%A9on.jpg).

What was the Lekythos used for? It was used as an ointment-holder, therefore it was used to hold oils and fragrant ointments, particularly for funerary rituals, and its cylindrical shape and narrow neck, with the funnel opening, was functional to this use.