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View: Side A
High-handled cup (kantharos) with scenes from the Gigantomachy
Greek
Early Classical Period
about 470–460 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Overall: 26.5 x 28 cm (10 7/16 x 11 in.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number98.932
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 152.
DescriptionThis high-handled cup (kantharos) has struts and thumb rests on handles. The kantharos is the type of wine cup favored by the god Dionysus and the hero Herakles.
Side A: Poseidon attacking the giant Polybotes. He hurls a mass of rock, the island of Nisyros, in his left hand and holds a trident in his right hand. His long hair is wreathed. The giant, wounded on his right side, turns and falls, but tries to strike out with his sword.
Side B: Dionysos attacks a giant with the end of his thyrsos and a serpent. He wears a wreath of ivy. The giant is fallen on one knee, but still grasps his sword.
Around upper surface of foot inscribed in Greek. Signed by the potter "Hieron, son of Medon" (IEPONMEΔONTOSEΠOI[E]).
Condition: Repaired with some restoration, not affecting images.
Side A: Poseidon attacking the giant Polybotes. He hurls a mass of rock, the island of Nisyros, in his left hand and holds a trident in his right hand. His long hair is wreathed. The giant, wounded on his right side, turns and falls, but tries to strike out with his sword.
Side B: Dionysos attacks a giant with the end of his thyrsos and a serpent. He wears a wreath of ivy. The giant is fallen on one knee, but still grasps his sword.
Around upper surface of foot inscribed in Greek. Signed by the potter "Hieron, son of Medon" (IEPONMEΔONTOSEΠOI[E]).
Condition: Repaired with some restoration, not affecting images.
Signed
IEPONMEΔONTOSEΠOI[E]
InscriptionsSigned by the potter Hieron, son of Medon (IERON MEDONTOS EPOI[E])
Around upper surface of foot.
ΙΕΡΟΝ ΜΕΔΟΝΤΟΣ ΕΠΟΙ[Ε]
Around upper surface of foot.
ΙΕΡΟΝ ΜΕΔΟΝΤΟΣ ΕΠΟΙ[Ε]
ProvenanceSaid to be from Greece; March 1895, sold by Rollin and Feuardent, Paris, to Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 - d. 1928), London [note 1]; 1898, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA for $ 69,618.13 [note 2]. (Accession date: September 20, 1898)
Notes:
[1] According to Warren's records.
[2] This figure is the total price for MFA 98.641-98.940.
Notes:
[1] According to Warren's records.
[2] This figure is the total price for MFA 98.641-98.940.