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Volute krater (mixing bowl) with warrior's farewell, possibly Achilles departing Skyros
Greek
Classical Period
about 450 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Height (with handles): 68 cm (26 3/4 in.); diameter: 53.5 cm (21 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Cyrene Excavation Fund and John Michael Rodocanachi Fund
Accession Number33.56
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 108.
DescriptionWarrior's departure and farewell to seated old man (father?) and standing women. Youth with lances attends warrior.
[Label text]:
On this large volute krater, a young warrior bids farewell to his family. A seated older man may be the youth's father. Several young women who may be relatives prepare the young man to go to battle, bringing him his shield and helmet. One young women holds a phiale and an oinochoe for a farewell libation. Women hold wreaths made of vines to wish the youth a victorious tour of duty. In a touching gesture, the young man going to battle holds hands with one of the young women and meets her gaze. A younger man carries the warrior's spears. Another warrior on the back of the vase wearing a leather corselet and a Corinthian helmet awaits his fellow soldier while he pours a libation from the phiale in his right hand. He is accompanied by other young women bidding farewell and holding wreaths. The scene takes place on the porch of a building; columns supporting a fragment of an architrave can be seen on both sides of the vase. On the neck of the mixing-bowl, a youth pursues a woman. The fragmentary nature of this part of the vase accounts for the uncertainty of the nature of the narrative.
[Label text]:
On this large volute krater, a young warrior bids farewell to his family. A seated older man may be the youth's father. Several young women who may be relatives prepare the young man to go to battle, bringing him his shield and helmet. One young women holds a phiale and an oinochoe for a farewell libation. Women hold wreaths made of vines to wish the youth a victorious tour of duty. In a touching gesture, the young man going to battle holds hands with one of the young women and meets her gaze. A younger man carries the warrior's spears. Another warrior on the back of the vase wearing a leather corselet and a Corinthian helmet awaits his fellow soldier while he pours a libation from the phiale in his right hand. He is accompanied by other young women bidding farewell and holding wreaths. The scene takes place on the porch of a building; columns supporting a fragment of an architrave can be seen on both sides of the vase. On the neck of the mixing-bowl, a youth pursues a woman. The fragmentary nature of this part of the vase accounts for the uncertainty of the nature of the narrative.
ProvenanceBy 1932: with Ugo Iandolo, Rome (said to be from Italy); purchased by MFA from Ugo Iandolo, January 5, 1933, for $ 3,368.65