AIUK46 no. 46 Loutrophoros of Phaidemos

Loutrophoros of Phaidemos

AIUK 4.6 (BM, Funerary Monuments) no. 46 Date: late v - early iv BC

Face A

Φαίδιμος ⋮ Ναυκρατίτης.

Face B

Φαίδιμος ⋮ Ναυκρατίτης.

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Translated text

References:

AIUK 4.6 (BM, Funerary Monuments) no. 46 (Translated text) (AIUK) (AIO)

IG II² 9986 (PHI)

GIBM I 105

Conze III no. 1715

Kokula, Marmorlutrophoren p. 30 nn. 71 and 73

Ginestí Rosell no. 490

Translation by: Robert Pitt

AIO Images: 1 2 3

Monument type: Marble loutrophoros

Inscription type: Funerary

Findspot: Athens? (BM 1816,0610.124)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This marble loutrophoros in the British Museum was aquired by Lord Elgin (cf. AIUK 4.1, no. 2). As a ceramic vessel the loutrophoros held water used for ritual washing in the marriage ceremony, and in its marble form it typically commemorated those who had died unmarried (cf. AIUK 3 (Fitzwilliam), no. 5, with notes). As well as stelai depicting loutrophoroi in relief (see AIUK 4.6, no. 21, 31) marble loutrophoroi in the round were typically one of an ensemble of monuments placed in family funerary enclosures (periboloi). This is one of three examples in the Museum's collection. The others are AIUK 4.6, no. 48 and 53.

This example is undecorated with relief, which suggests it once had a painted scene, and in fact there are surviving traces of a painted band around the shoulder. The same name is inscribed on both sides of vessel, and so presumably it was meant to be viewed from all sides, perhaps standing on a stone funerary table. Phaidimos is one of six foreign residents attested at Athens from Naukratis in Egypt, an important Greek colony and trading centre on the Canopic branch of the Nile. The loutrophoros form suggests he died unmarried. For more detailed discussion of the inscription see AIUK 4.6 (BM, Funerary Monuments), no. 46.

Added: 6 Apr 2022
Updated: 6 Apr 2022
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