Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)

Bride with attendants and Eros

The small Eros hovering in front of the seated woman indicates that she is a bride. She is surrounded by paraphernalia appropriate to her status and situation. Before her, an attendant holds a large fan. Behind her, another extends a plemochoe, a container for perfumed oil. This figure is remarkable for her position: she rests one foot on the mouth of the hydria standing on the floor and holds an arm akimbo. One wonders whether the woman would assume the same position if she were in front of her mistress rather than behind her.

Credit: Rogers Fund, 1922