Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Olpe; Attributed to the Workshop of the Rose Painter; ca. 350-340 BC; 155.73

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleOlpe

About this objectThis olpe, or wine jug, is painted in a lustrous black glaze and features some interesting imagery related to the theatre. On the body of the vase is a Papposilenos mask within an ivy frame. Papposilenus was a follower of Dionysus known for his wisdom and visions. A mask such as this might have been used by an actor in a play.

To bring the image to life, the painter for this olpe has used red-brown colour for the 'skin' of the mask, and white within orange details for the hair, beard, and eyebrows. The holes for the eyes are shown in white, so that it is clear this is a mask.

On the reverse, below the handle, are traces of a short spray of laurel in outline (without incision) angled down to the left. It seems to be a 'ghost' from another vase that sat next to this one in the kiln.

MakerAttributed to the Workshop of the Rose Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 350-340 BC

PeriodClassical

Place MadeItaly; Apulia

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyApulian

Style and IconographyGnathian

TechniqueSlip trailing (relief line)

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

MeasurementsHeight 192mm; Diameter 103mm.

Subject and Association KeywordsTheatre in art

Subject and Association KeywordsTheatre costume

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

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1973.

Object TypeFood Service Vessels

Object number155.73