Terracotta lydion (perfume jar) end of the 6th century B.C. Greek, Attic As indicated by its name, the lydion (perfume vase) originated in Lydia, a region in western Anatolia. Its capital city Sardis was an important center of cross-cultural interactions between Greece and the Near East. This lydion is exceptional, as it is an unusual shape in the Attic repertoire, and exceedingly rare with figural decoration. In addition to the shape, the decoration further emphasizes a connection with the Near East, where bands of animals were common.. Terracotta lydion (perfume jar). Greek, Attic. end of the 6th century B.C.. Terracotta. Vases