Lekitos; Italian school, following Greek models of the 5th century BC; late 19th century.
Bronze.
Measurements: 32 x 16 x 22 cm.
Sculptural lekitos made in lost-wax bronze. This piece stands out for the presence of the male face that serves as a belly for the vessel. Both the vessel and the aesthetic finish of the male bust are inspired by Greek models. This is why symmetry and harmony stand out, with features such as the straight nose that determines the configuration of the face. The main figure has a ribbon running across his forehead, so that he is probably a representation of an athlete. The lekitos or lekitos is a type of Greek pottery used to store perfumed oil for body care. This type of vessel was also often used as funerary vessels, not only in Greek cities, but also by other peoples who had contact with this culture. They are characterised by their elongated shape, narrow neck and wide mouth, which both limits the flow of oil and facilitates its application.
The term 'Grand Tour', which first appeared in Richard Lassels's 'Voyage d'Italie', was used to define the long journey through Europe, especially Italy, which was regularly undertaken by young British aristocrats from the 17th century onwards, but especially throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The purpose of the journey was for young people to become acquainted with the art and culture of mainly France and Italy, to admire classical art at first hand, to learn or improve their knowledge of languages, and to establish contacts and relations with the cultural and political elites of these countries. Travellers were often looking for pieces with which to start their own art collections, objects to take back to their places of residence as souvenirs. For this reason, workshops specialising in the replication of Roman pieces, both in bronze and marble, sprang up, some of which acquired a great reputation.