In sculpture of the 5th century BC, Eros was usually represented as a fully-grown man. From the 4th century BC onwards, however, the god is often shown as an effeminate adolescent. The boy's body has a softness and delicacy that suits the subject matter.

Description

Terracotta scent-bottle.
Black glaze, over which a white slip has been painted, with accessories of pink and blue.
In relief, a figure of Eros alighting; he has long curls and a kidaris; his flesh is painted pink, and wings blue; over both arms and behind him is drapery; in left hand he holds out a phiale, in right an oinochoe. On either side are flowers and palmettes; below, a calyx of acanthus leaves; the foot of the vase is painted red.

Made in Attica.