AN ATTIC RED-FIGURED KYLIX

ATTRIBUTED TO THE TRIPTOLEMOS PAINTER, CIRCA 480-470 B.C.

Details

AN ATTIC RED-FIGURED KYLIX
ATTRIBUTED TO THE TRIPTOLEMOS PAINTER, CIRCA 480-470 B.C.
The tondo with a nude athlete, a fillet in his hair in added red, gripping halteres (weights) in preparation for the long jump, a pick-axe beside him, with a pseudo-inscription in the field, enclosed within a band of meander; one side of the exterior with three nude acontists (javelin throwers), each with a fillet in added red, the figure on the left holding two blunt practice javelins with ankyles (throwing cords) in added red tied to them, the figure in the middle holding a pick-axe, the figure on the right holding a blunt practice javelin, a pair of halteres suspended in the field, a terma to the right, a pseudo-inscription between the middle and right figures; the other side with three nude athletes, an acontist on the left holding a blunt practice javelin, a diskobolos in the middle holding a diskos in his left hand, and an athlete on the right wearing a fillet in added red, a terma to the right, a pseudo-inscription between the figures; repaired in antiquity
9 in. (24.2 cm.) diam. excl. handles

Provenance

Stalder collection, Lucerne.
with Freddie Kung, Lucerne, early 1970s.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 3 June 2009, lot 121.

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Lot Essay

Named after his Stamnos at the Louvre (G187) depicting the departure of Triptolemos with Demeter and Persephone, the Triptolemos Painter was active from 480-470 B.C.. He was 'an accomplished and versatile artist' according to J. Boardman (Athenian Red Figure Vases, The Archaic Period, p. 139) and 'started as a cup painter but soon turned to decorate the full range of larger vessels, especially pelikai, stamnoi and column craters, favoured by major painters of the day. It is for the larger vases that he reserves his studies of myth and Beazley admired his 'accomplished, strong, pure' expression of Late Archaic art.'

The pick-axe was used for softening and preparing the landing area for the sport of jumping. Termae were used to mark the starting and finishing points of foot and horse races. For another similar kylix by Triptolemos depicting penthathletes preparing their javelins cf. S. G. Miller, Ancient Greek Athletics, Yale, 2004, p. 70.

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