Tendrils with human figure in Attic lekythos, 5th century BC
Tendrils with human figure on shoulder of Attic white-ground lekythos, 5th century BC
According to Alois Riegl, this is an early example of tendril ornamentation including a human figure: "Shoulder ornament of a fifth-century Attic lekythos: a branch circles around, while a flying Eros who is playfully included among the tendrils grasps them in his hands. The motif does not come into maturity or widespread use until the Hellenistic period, as, for example on the silver krater from Hildesheim. However, we have been able to trace its first impulses back to the Archaic period and also to disclose the motivating tendencies behind its development, tendencies whose basis lies in the nature of Greek decorative art going back to the Mycenaean times." Problems of Style, 186.
Image credit: Riegl, Problems of Style, 186.
Tendrils with human figure in Attic lekythos, 5th century BC
Tendrils with human figure on shoulder of Attic white-ground lekythos, 5th century BC
According to Alois Riegl, this is an early example of tendril ornamentation including a human figure: "Shoulder ornament of a fifth-century Attic lekythos: a branch circles around, while a flying Eros who is playfully included among the tendrils grasps them in his hands. The motif does not come into maturity or widespread use until the Hellenistic period, as, for example on the silver krater from Hildesheim. However, we have been able to trace its first impulses back to the Archaic period and also to disclose the motivating tendencies behind its development, tendencies whose basis lies in the nature of Greek decorative art going back to the Mycenaean times." Problems of Style, 186.
Image credit: Riegl, Problems of Style, 186.