Funerary loutrophoros: “Prothesis” Scenes
The iconography of funerary loutrophoroi in the fifth century is remarkably consistent with that of a century earlier: “prothesis” scenes, the bier surrounded by mourning women and occasionally an old man (no doubt the father of the deceased), the other men performing a dirge elsewhere on the vase.
In the 5th century BC, the loutrophoros as a tomb marker have been used only for young people who died unmarried. From the early 5th century BC, the loutrophoros gradually lost its status as the funerary vase shape par excellence, another came along to take its place, the white-ground lekythos. Both the shape and the technique were commonplace in the potters' quarter by the late sixth century, without any funerary connotations. The restriction of white lekythoi to this one purpose begins in the decade 470 to 460, that is, in the wake of the institution of public funerals.
Source: H. A. Shapiro, “The Iconography of Mourning in Athenian Art The Iconography of Mourning in Athenian Art”
Red-figure loutrophoros.
5th century BC
Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen, von Schoen Collection 66.
Funerary loutrophoros: “Prothesis” Scenes
The iconography of funerary loutrophoroi in the fifth century is remarkably consistent with that of a century earlier: “prothesis” scenes, the bier surrounded by mourning women and occasionally an old man (no doubt the father of the deceased), the other men performing a dirge elsewhere on the vase.
In the 5th century BC, the loutrophoros as a tomb marker have been used only for young people who died unmarried. From the early 5th century BC, the loutrophoros gradually lost its status as the funerary vase shape par excellence, another came along to take its place, the white-ground lekythos. Both the shape and the technique were commonplace in the potters' quarter by the late sixth century, without any funerary connotations. The restriction of white lekythoi to this one purpose begins in the decade 470 to 460, that is, in the wake of the institution of public funerals.
Source: H. A. Shapiro, “The Iconography of Mourning in Athenian Art The Iconography of Mourning in Athenian Art”
Red-figure loutrophoros.
5th century BC
Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen, von Schoen Collection 66.