Kraters are large, wide-mouthed vessels commonly used for mixing water and wine, although they also served a funerary function, either placed in a tomb or used as grave markers.
This "krater" has been attributed to a well-known painter named after a vase in Copenhagen (inv. While the figures bear some of the same objects as the other side, the two men are shown holding grapes and a thyrsus (fennel stalk), symbols of fertility. The opposite side shows a similar arrangement of four male and female offering bearers, but at center stands a large grave stele tied with a white fillet. The attachment of the handles to the body is accented with sculpted necks and heads of swans, and the center of the volutes shows white-face female masks rather than the characteristic scroll. Above, the bust of a winged male wearing a petasos (wide-brimmed hat) appears on the neck of the vase among the curling tendrils of the acanthus plant. These men and women carry such items as a wreath, cista (cylindrical container), mirror, phiale, bell krater, spear, and shield, all offerings for the deceased. Gazing in at the warrior from outside the naiskos are four red figures that sit or stand on rocky ground indicated with thin white lines. Below, also arranged symmetrically, a woman approaches on either side, holding a mirror and an oinochoe.The body of this volute krater is dominated by the depiction of a naiskos (shrine) that contains the white painted figure of a deceased warrior with spear and shield waiting for his young servant to pour a libation in the phiale (shallow bowl). Above, on either side, is a seated youth holding a box- the one on the left also holds grapes, the other, a situla. The reverse shows a naiskos shrine with a statue of the deceased woman holding a wreath, a long sash, and a flower.
On the neck, frontal head of a woman wearing a Phrygian cap emerges from a blossom, surrounded by flowers and tendrils. In the same register, at the extreme left, a young Pan, resting on a rock, observes the scene. Athena is attended by two youths, who, like Paris. Athena, directly below Paris, is also seated, leaning on her shield, wearing her helmet and holding a large phiale. Hera, holding her scepter, is seated in the upper right on a rock.
Aphrodite, accompanied by Eros, is in the upper left, seated beside a large box, holding a wreath and a mirror. He listens to Hermes, standing to his right, who has brought the three goddesses to him to be judged. On the obverse, Paris, the Trojan prince, is seated in the center.
0 kommentar(er)
