An Attic red-figure kalyx krater, attributed to the Achilles Painter

CIRCA 450 B.C.

Details

An Attic red-figure kalyx krater, attributed to the Achilles Painter
Circa 450 B.C.
The interior black glazed with reserved line around lip and rim, raised ornamental band around rim with ivy frieze between two reserved lines, added red, alternating double meander and dotted cross frieze below scene on each side, elaborate downward-turned palmette with volute tendrils and floral buds above each handle
A: Flying Eos and Kephalos, the latter in hunting dress with chlamys, petasos, holding two spears in left hand, runs to left with head turned back to look at Eos, the winged goddess who pursues him with oustretched arms, added red ivy wreath for Kephalos, added red fillet in Eos's hair B: Hekate and Kore, the goddess shown to the left holding flaming torch in each hand, wearing added red hair fillet, turning her head back towards Kore who stands fully draped to the right, (repaired from fragments with restoration especially around the base, two sets of two holes from ancient repair)
7½in. (19cm.) high

Lot Essay

Eos, goddess of dawn, was celebrated for her sexual self-indulgence. In Greek mythology Eos took a variety of mortal lovers including Kephalos. Scenes of her abductions of Kephalos and Tithonos were especially popular in Attic vase painting. Here, Kephalos is identified by his hunter's garb. For the scene and discussion of its representation on Greek vases, see Pandora, p. 398ff. For an almost identical representation of the scene cf. a calyx krater in the British Museum attributed to the Achilles Painter, circa 440 B.C., Pandora, p.77 fig. 3 [ARV p. 991 no. 55]; also Pandora, pp. 401-402 no. 131 [ARV 1048 no. 27, CVA, U.S.A. 6, Baltimore, Robinson collection 2, 32-33 pl. 45]

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