Collection Item

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleHydria

About this objectA hydria was used to store and serve water, and was a staple vase of the symposium, or Greek drinking party. This hydria is unusual as the handles are notably thin.

The main scene on the vase is of two women standing between three white columns. Both women wear long chitons (a form of Greek dress) with double black stripes down the sides, brooches at the shoulder, and beaded girdles at the waist. They have shoes on their feet. The one on the left, who looks in a mirror, has her hair in a sakkos (a hair covering) and wears a stephane (a pointed metal headband); the other wears a kekryphalos (another form of hair covering) and a stephane. Below the scene is a wave pattern.

The intention of the columns as a setting is not clear. They may be a representation of a stage background in a theatre, or alternatively could indicate a temple or sanctuary setting.

This vase was probably made in Capua (Italy) and is the name vase of the Column Painter. The Column Painter was a younger colleague of the Errera Painter, who was responsible for a good number of vases at this period. The Column Painter, however, has only five vases attributed to him. He depicted women with characteristically massive lower jaws and painted drapery with wavy hems. He seems to borrow a number of details, such as the heaviness of the figures, from the Errera Painter.

MakerAttributed to the Column Painter

Maker RoleArtist

Date Madeca. 350-300 BC

PeriodLate Classical

Place MadeItaly

Place NotesProbably made in Capua

Medium and MaterialsCeramic: Pottery

Style and IconographyCampanian

Style and IconographyRed-figure

TechniqueThrowing (pottery technique)

TechniqueRed-figure vase painting

TechniquePolychromy

MeasurementsHeight 218mm; Diameter 142mm

Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art

Subject and Association KeywordsClothing and dress

Subject and Association KeywordsTheatre in art

Subject and Association KeywordsArchitecture in art

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

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1970.

Object TypeContainers

Object number103.70

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved