ATTRIBUTED TO THE WORKSHOP OF ASTEAS AND PYTHON, CIRCA 350-330 B.C.

As Trendall informs (op. cit., pp. 364-365), the technique of wholly decorating vases in applied color against a black background originates in Athens in the late 6th century B.C. with the work of Nikosthenes when added colors were used in conjunction with incision for detail (known as Six’s technique after the Dutch scholar who first studied the group). The technique was later adopted by Etruscan and South Italian vase-painters. Of this calyx-krater, Trendall (op. cit, p. 452) remarks, “This is one of the finest of the vases decorated in applied red and is close to the early work of Asteas.”