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The prostitute and her headdress: The mitra, sakkos and kekryphalos in Attic Red-figure vase-painting ca. 550--450 BCE

Posted on:2009-01-11Degree:M.AType:Thesis
University:University of Calgary (Canada)Candidate:Fischer, MarinaFull Text:PDF
GTID:2445390005450023Subject:Art history
Abstract/Summary:
This study documents the problematic headdress iconography of Attic Red-figure vase-painting ca. 550-450 BCE. The findings demonstrate that more prostitutes than wives, or any other female figures, are illustrated with the mitra (turban), sakkos (sack) and kekryphalos (hair-net). These headdresses were prostitutes' common apparel as well as their frequent attributes and social markers.;The study also shows that prostitutes were involved in manufacturing of textiles, producing the headdresses on the small sprang hand frames chosen for their practicality, convenience and low cost. In this enquiry, two hundred and thirty (230) fully catalogued and thoroughly analyzed images include twenty (20) such scenes, in addition to two hundred and ten (210) depicting prostitutes wearing the headdresses. This iconography is the primary evidence on which the study's conclusions are based.
Keywords/Search Tags:Prostitutes
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