top of page
Search
Argo Crew

The Mysterious Cycladic Cylindrical Pyxis


Cycladic cylindrical pyxis with lid, ca. 32000–2700 BCE. 30929. Gift of Peggy Zoumboulaki. Benaki Museum. On display in the Gods, Myths & Mortals exhibition at the Hellenic Museum.

Can you say the phrase ‘Cycladic cylindrical pyxis’ three times fast? What a tongue twister!


The pyxis (plural pyxides) has been found buried in prehistoric and ancient Greek graves – but we still don’t know exactly how they were used. They are usually decorated in beautiful geometric patterns and can be made from all types of materials – this one features a herringbone pattern. Their small size leads many historians to believe that they may have held shiny jewels, perfumes, or ancient knick-knacks! Or perhaps they may have held nothing at all, existing as a symbolic or spiritual object for the afterlife. How mysterious!

22 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page