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Fragment from a water jar (hydria) with legs of Cerberus

Greek
Archaic Period
about 500 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens

Medium/Technique Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions W x D: 6.8 x 0.52 cm (2 11/16 x 3/16 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Dietrich von Bothmer
Accession Number1973.575
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsVessels

DescriptionDecoration Description: Small, five-sided sherd from a vase which carries the scene of Herakles, with Athena and Hermes, leading Kerberos out of Hades. This piece is decorated with Herakles' foot and ankle, a bit of the paw of his lion skin; a part of the jaw and neck of one of the heads of Kerberos, as well as the tops of his front legs and shoulders; and (possibly) the ankle of Hermes. Outside, glossy black glaze with drawing in relief lines throughout; inside, unglazed and slightly corrugated.

Belongs to 03.838.
Provenance1973, gift of Dietrich von Bothmer (b. 1918 - d. 2009), New York, to the MFA. (Accession Date: November 14, 1973)

NOTE: This fragment comes from the same vase as MFA accession no. 03.838, which was sold to the Museum in 1903 by Edward Perry Warren.