1. Ovoid lekythos – Wedding Procession
The Amasis Painter
Ovoid lekythos – Wedding Procession
White text: p.34-35
Black text: p.33-35

2. Shape: Ovoid lekythos
Function: Used to hold oil, funeral offerings
Painter: Amasis Painter
Potter: Amasis
Technique: black figure
Date: c.550 B.C

3. Dimensions
Height: 17cm

4. Lower Frieze – subject matter

5. See Black text p.34 for whole lower frieze
This vase shows a wedding procession, and the narrative runs right-left
See Black text p.34 for whole lower frieze

6. A woman leads the procession, carrying two torches to light the way
Wedding processions were normally held at night.
The procession is heading towards a house, where the door is wide open. The groom’s mother is inside. She carries a torch to welcome the happy couple.
A woman leads the procession, carrying two torches to light the way

7. Each carriage is escorted by two women and one man
Holding the veil in the left hand is a common gesture in such scenes
The newlyweds (plus another man) ride on the first carriage. The bride holds what may be a ritual crown, and holds out her veil with her left hand
The second carriage carries four men (probably relatives of the bride, accompanying her to the new house)
Each carriage is escorted by two women and one man

8. Upper Frieze – subject matter
As musicians play, nine young girls dance stiffly around the vase – probably part of the wedding festivities shown in the lower frieze
Two seated men play musical instruments – on this side a lyre, and on the other side a flute

9. Painting Technique
Detail is incised through the black slip, especially on the mules and the men’s beards
Lots of white slip has been used:
women’s flesh, carriages, the Doric columns on the house

10. Drapery All figures wear clothes that are flat and foldless.
Detailing is shown on the cloth, but no attempt to show depth.
The men wear the himation and the chiton, except the groom.
The groom does not have a chiton, and therefore his right shoulder is bare.
Chiton = one-piece garment, belted around the waist
Himation = large cloak
Women wear the peplos

11. Style and Technique Superior to other Lekythos in artistry
Details more precise and realistic
Sense of motion and direction
All figures in profile
Varied poses to create sense of movement
Upper frieze sits more easily on shoulder and has some relationship with main frieze
Depth - one figure placed behind the other – women behind mule
Amasis painter not as advanced in use of anatomy to convey mood and movement
Simple clear outlines, no internal anatomy
Draper flat, folds indicated by widely separated lines
No sugestion of figures being 3D