"Pyxis" is a box-shaped pottery with a lid and used for ointments and cosmetics. Its name was used by Greeks in Roman time for a box-shaped container, though there is no evidence to prove it was used in Classical period.

Pyxis was already made in the beginning of the black figure and have some varieties. So-called "type A" have a tall concaved wall and was made until fourth century. "Tripod pyxys" has bowl-shaped body and three broad feet and there is no example painted in red-figure. In the late sixth century "Nikosthenic pyxis", which has a tall conical body and tall stand, was made. The body and lid of "Type B", smaller than type A, have tall wall and the lid cover most of the body. It was painted by both techniques. "Type C" has a shallow body and domed lid. It was made in the late fifth and early fourth century. "Type D" is similar to the type B but the lid is shallow and no example painted by black-figure.

Pyxis with bowl-shaped body and three broad feet. The lid is domed and has high knob.

It was only painted in black figure and disappeared in the fifth century. The figured scene is depicted in the paneled frames on each feet and also on the lid as a frieze. Cf. Tripod pyxis in Erlangen (Antikensammlung Erlangen Internet Archive).

Dimensions: Height about 10cm

A tall conical body, tall concaved stand and domed lid with a knob. It was named after the potter "Nikosthenes" who made most of this shape.

It was made after the middle of sixth century, though there are not so many example painted by the black-figure. The vase with red-figure is fewer than with older technique and disappeared in the fifth century.

The figured scene is depicted on the body and also on the lid as a frieze.

Dimensions: Height about 20cm

A tall concaved wall and a flat lid with a knob. Its foot is often divided into three and has notched.

Its production was started in the early black-figure and made until the middle of the fourth century by the red-figure. There are some example with the white grounded body in the middle of fifth century. The figures are given on the body as a frieze picture and the flower decoration such as palmettes is sometimes given on the lid. The later example became decorative and taller. Cf. Toledo1963.29 (Perseus Project).

Dimensions: Height about 10-15cm

High walled lid and body. the lid has flat top and cover most of the body. It was painted by the black-figure and red-figure, though former belongs to the one group has similar decoration.

Figures are painted on the wall and head of a woman is often depicted on the lid. Cf. Pyxis from Athens (Youth Concern).

Dimensions: Height about 5-10cm

A shallow body with concaved wall and domed lid with a know or bronze ring on top. There's no example of the black-figure and some with white ground.

It is rare to depict figures on the body because of its narrow space, so flower decoration is usually done on it. A frieze picture on the lid often has a figured scene. Cf. Missisipi 1977.3.243 (Perseus Project).

Dimensions: Height about 5-10cm

Similar to the type B, though the lid is shallow. All example is painted by red-figure.

The body is rarely depicted with figures and the round picture on the lid usually has human head. Cf. Melbourne 1929.0006 (Melbourne Univ.).

Dimensions: Height about 5-10cm

Shallow bowl with horizontal handle on either side and a lid with a knob. Its purpose is not clear, though it is said that it was used for cosmetics because this shape is often depicted on the wedding scene. The name "Lekane" seems to be used for the bowl in many varieties and "Lekanis" used for the vase with special purpose.

It was produced from the beginning of the black-figure to the end of the red-figure. The body is depicted with the figures in the black-figure, though it has only a flower decoration in the red-figure. The lid has a figured scene in any period. Cf. Missisipi 1977.3.243 (Perseus Project).

Dimensions: Height about 10-20cm