Resumen de Aphrodite and her birds:: The iconology of Pagenstecher Lekythoi
Five previously unpublished fourth-third century BC black figured Pagenstecher lekythoi are the catalyst for this iconological interpretation of the purpose and decoration of these enigmatic little oil vessels. Two are in the Nicholson Museum in Sydney and three in the Ure Museum in Reading (Figures 1–5; for their details see Appendix 1). All five are decorated with birds of various types and sizes. This paper discusses the prevalence of birds on Pagenstecher lekythoi and looks to identify them. In so doing, it looks at the problems associated with traditional iconographic approaches to such identifications. It then argues for a connection between the birds on Pagenstecher lekythoi and Aphrodite. Finally, it proposes a link between the goddess and the iconography of the lekythoi in general, as well as with their suggested contents and purpose.
