Pelike (table amphora), attributed to The Varrese Painter
Production date
360 BCE-330 BCE
Country
Italy
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Object detail
Description
Table amphora (Pelike). The Pelike was a two-handled amphora, specially designed with a squat body and broad foot so that it would be stable on the dining table. The pelike was a favorite shape for Athenian vase painters of the 300s B.C.
The primary scene depicts a lady standing holding a bunch of grapes in one hand and a cista mystica in the other. She is facing a naked male youth seated on a stool, who is holding a phiale. The secondary scene depicts two male youths standing facing in togas, a large palmette and a pair of halteres (Greek exercising weights). Around the neck runs a laurel band, and around the base of the vessel is a band reserved in red with black meander cubes, and saltire squares. Under the hands are elaborate sprays of palmettes.
The primary scene depicts a lady standing holding a bunch of grapes in one hand and a cista mystica in the other. She is facing a naked male youth seated on a stool, who is holding a phiale. The secondary scene depicts two male youths standing facing in togas, a large palmette and a pair of halteres (Greek exercising weights). Around the neck runs a laurel band, and around the base of the vessel is a band reserved in red with black meander cubes, and saltire squares. Under the hands are elaborate sprays of palmettes.
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Greek urn
Maker
Production date
360 BCE-330 BCE
Production place
Measurements
L293mm x W201mm x D190mm
Media/Materials description
Clay
Paint, minerals
Slip
Paint, minerals
Slip
History and use
The amphora is a storage jar of large capacity holding wine, water, olive oil or dry goods. Great artists excelled in decorating this vessel shape with scenes of daily life, or more often with mythological subjects.
In the first scene a draped lady holds a bunch of grapes in one hand and a cista mystica (secret casket) in the other. She is facing a naked male youth seated on a box, who is holding a phiale (libation bowl). The second scene features two male youths dressed in togas facing, with a pair of halteres (Greek symbol for exercising weights), perhaps suggesting the palaestra (gymnasium). The red flame on the neck of the vessel suggests it has been misfired, from being placed too close to another vessel in the kiln, or on the edge of the kiln, letting air in.
This vessel was painted by the significant and prolific Varrese Painter, named after the hypogeum at Canosa where some of his vases were found. He was the most significant painters of the time, and over 200 of his works have survived, many featuring mythological scenes. His work had considerable influence not only on his immediate followers but other master artists.
In the first scene a draped lady holds a bunch of grapes in one hand and a cista mystica (secret casket) in the other. She is facing a naked male youth seated on a box, who is holding a phiale (libation bowl). The second scene features two male youths dressed in togas facing, with a pair of halteres (Greek symbol for exercising weights), perhaps suggesting the palaestra (gymnasium). The red flame on the neck of the vessel suggests it has been misfired, from being placed too close to another vessel in the kiln, or on the edge of the kiln, letting air in.
This vessel was painted by the significant and prolific Varrese Painter, named after the hypogeum at Canosa where some of his vases were found. He was the most significant painters of the time, and over 200 of his works have survived, many featuring mythological scenes. His work had considerable influence not only on his immediate followers but other master artists.
Associated person
Registration number
E40243
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