Lekanis with lid, miniature 575 BC

This is a miniature Lekanis with lid, crafted by the Swan Group. This small, lidded container offers us a glimpse into the lives and rituals of women in ancient Greece. Lekanides were typically associated with wedding ceremonies and were often decorated with scenes of domesticity, love, and fertility. As such they were deeply entwined with female identity and social roles in ancient Greek society. This miniature lekanis would have been used as a cosmetic container. The circular patterns suggest the value placed on adornment and beauty. The lekanis invites us to consider the daily routines, rituals, and relationships that shaped women's lives in ancient Greece, and prompts reflections on our own contemporary notions of gender, identity, and domesticity.