Laconian Art
Mrs Graham’s Ancient History
Plutarch on Sparta

“…..Thus gradually cut off from the things that animate and
feed it, luxury atrophied of its own accord…….As a result
their craftmenship of everyday essential items of furniture
like beds and chairs and tables was first rate, and the
Laconian kothon or drinking cup, according to Critias, is
especially valued for use on campaigns. Visibly off putting
elements in water which had to be drunk were concealed by
its colour, while the dirt in the liquid was trapped by the lip,
so that when it reached the mouth for drinking was cleaner”.
Laconian drinking cups
Laconian drinking cups were famous. The edge
contained a lip which prevented any wine solids from
reaching the mouth.
 Laconian cups reveal, interest in banquets, festivals,
ritual, horseriding and hunting
 Many scenes are painted by a figure who has been
named the Hunt Painter
 The distinctive black figure pottery was the product of
only two identified workshops, most of whose output
was exported
 Much of the evidence of art comes from the shrine of
Artemis Orthia

Hunters killing a boar- 555BC
Laconian cup, depicting the Rider
Naucratis 560-550BC
Warrior killing a serpent- 550 BC
Two soldiers carrying a slain
warrior- 6th century- Berlin Museum
The Arkesilas cup, found in central
Italy, which shows scenes of trade
or tribute in Dorian Cyrene- mid 6th
century
Laconian Drinking Cup
Heracles defeating the bull- 550 BC
Amphora of the 7th century, from a
grave, shows hunting and battle
scenes
Laconian Krater-575-550 BC
Cylix depicting Odysseus.
The son of Typhonas -560 BC
The blinding of Polyphemos by
Odysseus and companians- 550BC
The Titans Atlas and Prometheus
punished by Zeus 550BC
Fragment of a Pythos found at
Sparta – 6th century
Spartan Sculptors in bronze,
terracotta and ivory.
Significant archaeology suggests scupltors were
active both at home and at Olympia and Delphi
during the 6th century
 At least 9 scupltors were known
 Spartan bronze products were of such high
quality that they were viewed as valuable
diplomatic gifts
 Spartan bronzes generally depicted women,
hoplites or particular heroes such as Leonidas

Bronze Hoplite statuette 500BC
Spartan soldier
Statuette in bronze of Leonidas
Bronze Spartan Runner- 520 BCBritish Museum
Ivory and Bone Carvings.
The use of ivory and bone, seem to
dissappear after the 6th century
 Many examples have been found at the
site of Artemis Orthia.
 Carvings generally are either, plaques
carved in relief, obnjects of personel
adornment, such as broaches, combs or
mirrors or figures of Orthia

Plaques carved in relief in ivory. Soldiers
leaving for battle