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View: Side A

Drinking cup (kylix) depicting Herakles fighting Acheloos

Greek
Archaic Period
about 575–550 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens

Medium/Technique Ceramic, Black Figure
Dimensions Height: 18.2 cm (7 3/16 in.); diameter: 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.)
Credit Line Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number99.519
ClassificationsVessels

Catalogue Raisonné CVA Boston 2, pl. 087.
DescriptionSiana cup
Side A: The witch Circe and the companions of Odysseus, who appear to be in the process of being transformed into various animals.
Side B: Combat of Herakles and Acheloös.
Interior: Sphinx

To win the hand of his wife Deianira, Herakles had to fight first the River-god Acheloos. When Acheloos turned himself into a bull, Herakles broke off one of his horns. The Painter of Boston C.A. (Circe-Acheloos) is named for the subjects on this cup.

Condition: Considerably restored. Foot and handles restored in plaster.
ProvenanceBy 1898: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: Bought in Athens Xmas '98. Said to come from Thebes, market for Boeotia.); purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren, 1899, for
$ 32,500.00 (this is the total price for MFA 99.338-99.542)