LATE ARCHAIC PERIOD, CIRCA EARLY 5TH CENTURY B.C.

This charming vessel is modeled in the form of a corpulent seated satyr. He raises an amphora in his left hand, the vessel braced against his back and resting on his right shoulder; his right arm is bent at his side. His body hair is rendered with black dots, while the pattern of his nebris is indicated with dots and semicircles. Although this example appears to be unique within the Sicilian corpus, it may be compared to several other “plastic” vessels of satyrs or silens, who are often shown with an amphora or other drinking vessels (see nos. B114-B141 in M. Sguaitamatti and R. Leone, Le sanglier et le satyre: vases plastiques hellénistiques de Grande Grèce et de Sicile, vol II).