Oil flask (lekythos) in the form of Aphrodite

Hesiod's Theogony, an early poem recounting the origins of the various Greek gods, relates the tale of Aphrodite, "the foam-born goddess," springing out of the sea at the moment of her birth. This colorful bottle explodes with the excitement of the event. In lieu of the usual cylindrical shape, a scallop shell opens to reveal the goddess's nude body, her drapery held aloft by two erotes. Aphrodite catches the edges of her garment as it flies upward, drawing further attention to her exposed white skin, which stands out against the pink interior of the shell. The decoration of the vessel complements its function: the goddess of love and beauty is fitting ornamentation for a container of perfumed oil used in bathing.  During the fourth century B.C., figural vases such as this one became smaller in scale and decidedly more intimate. Assuming a number of different poses, Aphrodite was a subject for many of these vessels, which in reality were elaborate terracotta figurines fused to oil flasks. Here her figure, complete with folds of flesh around her waist, is both detailed and delicate, creating a sense of connection between the goddess and the viewer. The goddess's hair was gilded, perhaps in reference to the heat and light commonly associated with love in Greek poetry; the earliest literary sources often call her "golden Aphrodite." Yellow and blue pigments, traces of which can be found on the bodies and wings of her companions, would have added to this colorful feast for the eyes.