Arkivism
Lebes
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Lebes

c. 480–460 BCE · bronze

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

This bronze cauldron has a ring base with three spool feet. Appliqués shaped like birds with the heads of women decorate the shoulder on either side of the vessel. Two handles are fastened to loops on the top of each creature’s wings. The bird-women may represent sirens, mythical creatures that lured sailors with their singing, or harpies, wind spirits that stole food from the starving.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineLebes, c. 480–460 BCE. Greece. Bronze; overall: 25.4 cm (10 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust, 1928.857
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