Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleBell-Krater

About this objectThis bell-krater, named for its bell-shaped body, was used for mixing water and wine. The Greeks always diluted their wine, believing that only barbarians (such as centaurs) drank their wine at full strength.

On Side A is a scene showing Andromeda with the hero Perseus, and her father Kepheus. Andromeda stands tied to the columns of a naiskos (a small temple) of Ionic style. She wears a sleeved chiton (a form of Greek dress) with a black-bordered overgarment that is bound about the waist, a necklace and sandals. Perseus stands to the left facing her. He holds a spear in his left hand and the harpe (a sword with a sickle protruding near the tip, commonly identified with Kronos and his grandson Perseus) in his right, and wears a crested helmet and a cloak about his shoulders. Kepheus sits on a highly decorated chest at the right, his right hand rests on a stick and his himation (cloak) draped about his lower body. In the background stands a basket of offerings.

There is considerable use of relief lines on this vase to create depth and movement, as well as added colour being used for various features. There is considerable evidence of a preliminary sketch throughout the scene, showing how the artist prepared before finally painting the vase. Below the scene is a band of meander with saltire squares.

Meanwhile, on Side B are two youths and a woman. The youths wear himatia (plural of himation), the woman a chiton and himation. The youth to the left and the woman hold staffs. Behind them hang a pair of halteres (hand weights used in athletics) shown at a disproportionately large size. Again, below the scene is a band of meander with saltire squares.

MakerAttributed to the Dechter Group

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 360 BC

PeriodClassical

Place MadeItaly; Apulia

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyApulian

Style and IconographyRed-figure

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

TechniquePolychromy

MeasurementsHeight 218mm; Diameter 245mm.

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArt and mythology

Subject and Association KeywordsClothing and dress

Subject and Association KeywordsTheatre in art

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

Credit LinePurchased, 1971.

Object TypeDrinking Vessels

Object number116.71

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved