Capillary gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) has been used in the separation and identification of organic remains in four Corinthian figure vases of the 6th century BC. Extracts were obtained by pouring suitable solvents into the small pots. Subsequently, the samples were concentrated and analyzed by GC-MS. This method has the advantage of not changing the integrity and appearance of the art object. Data analysis revealed that over 100 compounds were present, about half of which have been identified. Several compounds present are significant with regard to the identity of the original contents. The terpenoid ether manoyl oxide is indicative of some oleoresin of pine, cypress, or juniper; a series of n-alkanes (C_14-27) is typical of flowers; linalool oxide and camphor are indicative of plant material; and cholesterol relates probably to animal fat. In one vase, the most significant constituents were cedrol and cedrene, which are characteristic of cedar wood oil. Encountered also were relatively large amounts of modern synthetic plasticizers as phthalates.