Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleBell-Krater

About this objectThis vase depicts a music scene. This may be a competition or a music lesson. However, school scenes are comparatively rare by this period.

A bearded male sits facing right on a chair and supports a lyre on his lap with his left hand; he has the plectrum (the ancient form of a guitar pick) in his right. He has a himation (cloak) draped about his lower body. In front of him, looking upwards and presumably singing, is a youth wrapped in a fine, bordered himation, turned three quarters to the left. On the left, behind the seated figure, stands another youth, standing three quarters to the right, leaning on a smooth staff and with his right hand on his hip; the left arm hangs loose. He has a himation rolled about his waist and hanging. All three figures wear wreaths, perhaps of laurel. An unidentified object is fixed to the wall in the field above the seated figure: it is long and seems to be supported by three brackets. Written along it is the inscription KAΛOΣ, meaning "beautiful". All the figures are barefoot.

In contrast Side B simply shows three draped youths. The central figure faces right and has his arms and hands completely covered within his cloak; the outer two are turned towards him and hold staffs in their right hands. They are barefoot.

MakerKadmos Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made450-400 BC

PeriodEarly Classical

Place MadeGreece

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyAttic

Style and IconographyRed-figure

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

MeasurementsHeight 294mm; Diameter 315mm.

Subject and Association KeywordsMusic in art

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LinePurchased, 1994.

Object TypeDrinking Vessels

Object number177.94

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved