Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Skyphos ; Attributed to the Splanchnopt Painter; 460-440 BC; 44.57

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleSkyphos

About this objectThis vase is a two-handled cup used to drink wine at symposium. On Side A is a girl and a youth. The girl wears a cloak with a black border over a bordered chiton (form of dress). In her left hand she holds an alabastron (a small pottery or glass vessel used for holding oil) that is tied with strings to what is probably a leather carrying handle. The youth wears a himation (cloak) that runs over the left shoulder but leaves the chest bare; he supports a staff with his right hand, with the same hand he is pointing towards the girl. Above his hand is an inscription, 'ho pais kalos', meaning 'the boy is beautiful'.

The other side of the vase depicts a girl and a man. The girl wears a cloak with black border over a chiton with a double central stripe. The man wears a himation that comes over the left shoulder and the back of the head but leaves the chest bare; it comes to just below his knee. He holds out a flute-bag with his right hand and carries a staff in the other. In the field above, a sash; and in the field below, between the figures, another inscription of 'ho pais kalos', meaning "the boy is beautiful".

MakerAttributed to the Splanchnopt Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made460-440 BC

PeriodEarly Classical

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyRed-figure

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

MeasurementsHeight 156mm; Diameter 196mm

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

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1957.

Object TypeDrinking Vessels

Object number44.57