Magna Graecia, South Italy, Apulian, ca. 4th century BCE. A very fine and quite sizeable bell krater extensively decorated via the red figure technique. The vessel presents a characteristically bell-shaped body, upturned loop handles, and a dramatically flared rim, all upon a raised pedestal base. Side A depicts a lively scene of figures in the train of Dionysus, featuring a maenad holding a thyrsus - a pinecone tipped scepter - confronting a nude and crowned ephebus or youth who holds a vessel in one hand and a staff in the other. Alternatively, side B features two draped ephebi confronted, one holding a staff or walking stick. The gorgeous vessel is further embellished by a band of laurel leaves encircles the rim and a pair of geometric borders of maze motifs and square designs that sit below each figural scene. Size: 11.625" in diameter x 11.25" H (29.5 cm x 28.6 cm)
Perhaps the most exciting innovation in Greek vase painting was the red-figure technique, invented in Athens around 525 BCE and beloved by other artists of Magna Graecia. The red-figure technique allowed for much greater flexibility as opposed to the black-figure technique, for now the artist could use a soft, pliable brush rather than a rigid metal graver to delineate interior details, play with the thickness of the lines, as well as build up or dilute glazes to create chromatic effects. The painter would create figures by outlining them in the natural red of the vase, and then enrich these figural forms with black lines to suggest volume, at times perspectival depth, and movement, bringing those silhouettes and their environs to life. Beyond this, fugitive pigments made it possible for the artist to create additional layers of interest and detail as we see in this example.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private J. P. collection, Rye, Colorado, USA; ex-Bill Buffinger collection, Hollywood, California, USA, acquired October 31, 2000; ex-Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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#166164
Condition
Repaired from several large pieces with restoration over break lines. Some perforations and indentations from previous repairs. A few nicks and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Some repainting in areas. Impressive remaining pigments and detail.