An Attic black-glaze lekanis, ca. 450-440 BC. The lekanis (pl. lekanides) is very closely related to the lekane (pl. lekanai). Both names refer to low bowls with two horizontal handles and a broad low foot. The handles are usually ribbon-shaped as if cut from a slab and suggest that these pottery forms are derived from vessels first made in another material. Generally, the lekane is lidless and often undecorated. The lekanis, such as in our example, is shallow and lidded and is often decorated. Lekanides are quite often decorated with scenes of marriage.
H. 5 in. (13.2 cm), Diam. 7 in. (18 cm), W. 9 ¾ in. (25.3 cm)
Louvre, Paris
Image Courtesy of Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons
Lekanis
From Beth Peterson, former About.com Guide
Ancient Greek pottery lekanis, a low bowl form with two horizontal handles and a broad, low foot.
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