Stamnos (Mixing Jar) c. 480

This Attic black-figure stamnos, a type of large mixing jar, is a fine example of Greek pottery from the late Archaic Period. Created by the artist Syriskos around 480 BCE, it depicts three women engaged in activities related to spinning and weaving, with a bird depicted on the right. The stark contrast between the black figures and the red-orange background is typical of black-figure technique, and this piece, now in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases the elegance and precision of this ancient artistic tradition.