Special Exhibitions
Magna Graecia
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Special Exhibitions |
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Magna Graecia |
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Magna Graecia: Greek Art From South Italy and Sicily
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Exhibition Highlights
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Red-Figure Bell-Krater (about 470-450 BC)
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Red-Figure Bell-Krater (about 470-450 BC) As noted, some of the finest examples of ancient Greek pottery are known to us through the survival of imported pots found in tombs in southern Italy.This vessel is just such a pot. Manufactured in Attica, the region which includes Athens, it is attributed to the Oreithyia Painter, a master of red-figure technique. The shape is a bell-krater, so called for its resemblance in shape to a bell. Used for ladling out a mixture of water and wine at meals, its decoration is of the highest quality and the subject matter would have been quite appealing to the inhabitants of southern Italy where Demeter and Persephone were much revered and agriculture was a huge industry. The scene is of Triptolemos, prince of Eleusis, who received the secrets of agriculture from Demeter and Persephone to distribute the knowledge to all mortals. Triptolemos rides in his winged chariot flanked with snakes, a chthonic (k-thon-ik) creature of the earth. Before him stands Demeter herself, holding an oinochoe (oi-nok-oh-ay), a pitcher for pouring wine, and sheaves of wheat. Behind him is her daughter Persephone, she too holding sheaves of wheat and presenting the prince with a phiale for pouring libations. Page 22 of 23 | On the next page: Archaic Altars from Gela |
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