Stamnos (Mixing Jar) c. 450

This ancient Stamnos, or mixing jar, of unknown date and maker, is held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Its creation existed within a society steeped in complex social hierarchies, where the roles of women, enslaved people, and free men were distinctly defined. Looking at the scene painted on the jar, we see figures rendered in the red-figure technique, a style that allowed for greater detail compared to earlier black-figure pottery. The imagery often provides insight into the daily lives, rituals, and mythological beliefs of the time. Notice the women depicted here. How do they engage with each other and the objects around them? Are they priestesses? Servants? How might we interpret their roles based on their gestures, attire, and the items they handle? Consider how such vessels were used in symposia, gatherings of men for drinking, conversation, and intellectual exchange. What was the role of women during these events? What can we infer about gender roles, social status, and cultural values from the painted scenes? Vessels like this shape our understanding of gendered spaces and social practices.