AN ATTIC RED-FIGURED COLUMN-KRATER

THE CIRCLE OF THE LATE MANNERIST GROUP, CIRCA 460 B.C.

Details

AN ATTIC RED-FIGURED COLUMN-KRATER
THE CIRCLE OF THE LATE MANNERIST GROUP, CIRCA 460 B.C.
The obverse with a symposium scene with two draped males with wreaths in their hair, reclining on striped cushions on klinai, footstools tucked below, that to the left with a cup resting on the ground, to the left a youth with head turned back to the right, to the right a bearded male with a cup raised in his right hand playing kottabos, a female standing between, wearing a pleated chiton under a himation, her hair bound in a fillet, playing the auloi, lotus bud chain on the neck; the reverse with central, standing, draped youth, looking to the left, flanked either side by a draped male each holding a staff, fillets hanging in the field; both panels framed by a double row of dots on the sides and tongues above, double dots around the rim's downturned lip
12 in. (30.4 cm.) high

Provenance

with N. Borowski, Geneva, from whom acquired by the present owner in 1998.

Brought to you by

Georgiana Aitken

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Lot Essay

The symposiasts shown here are playing kottabos, a popular after-dinner game. To play, a participant would recline on his left elbow, and try to flick the last drops of wine from the bottom of his kylix held in his right hand across the room to hit a target - often something perched on a stand - which would come crashing to the ground, or another reveller's cup. Here, the large kylix on the floor to the left of the scene is probably the target. The depiction of this game evokes a sense of joviality and leisure - perfectly fitting for a vessel used to mix wine.

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