Pitcher with Lions and Sphinxes in the Getty Villa, July 2008

Pitcher with Lions and Sphinxes
Attributed to the Painter of Vatican 73
Greek, Corinth, 650 - 625 B.C.
Terracotta
10 7/8 x 7 11/16 in.
85.AE.88

Bands of animals, including lions, panthers, bulls, boars, sphinxes, goats, a ram, and a swan, decorate this Corinthian black-figure oinochoe or jug. With their added colors against the light background, they serve a decorative rather than a narrative role. Rosettes fill the areas between the animals. The use of large areas of incised polychrome decoration such as the tongues or the scale pattern on the shoulder of this vase is typical of Corinthian pottery in the period from 640 to 625 B.C.

The oinochoe was part of the standard Greek table service for the mixing and serving of wine. This one has a pinched spout to facilitate pouring.

Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12922