Apulian Red-Figure Bell Krater, 4th Century B.C

An Apulian red-figure bell krater, 4th century B.C., painted to…
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An Apulian red-figure bell krater, 4th century B.C., painted to one side with a naked youth holding a dish and a basket looking towards a maenad holding a tynpanon above a Greek key border, the other side with two himation clad youths holding staffs, painted with palmettes beneath the handles, a band of laurel under the rim, details in added white, height 37.5 cm. Provenance: Sotheby's, Fine Decorative Arts, 25-27 May 1997, lot 747, acquired from the above. Literature: Details of this item have been published in a work by Professor Dale Trendall and it is from the Schulman group.. Other Notes: The ancient Greek colony in Apulia, now Puglia, in southern Italy was the largest centre of pottery production at the time of its heyday in 430?300 B.C., and over half the approximately 20,000 surviving pieces have been found in this area. The eminent Australian academic Professor Arthur Dale Trendall considered it the work of the Schulman painter who he named after a calyx krater in the Schulman collection in Boston. His work mainly features Dionysiac scenes probably connected to funerary traditions and grave cults, as many of the vases were made as grave offerings, and this krater is a typical example. On one side the red figures of a youth and maenad are highlighted in white and seem to dance with their offerings to the god of wine, whilst on the opposite side, the sober and static figures of ephebes draped in their himations offer a total contrast and seem to suggest the balance between life and death.

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  • Krater - A Greek krater is a large vessel that was used in ancient Greece for mixing wine and water. The word "krater" comes from the Greek word "kraino," which means "to mix." In ancient Greece it was considered bad form to drink undiluted wine.

    Kraters were used in symposia, or Greek drinking parties, where they were placed in the centre of the room and used to mix wine with water. The mixture was then poured into individual cups and served to the guests.

    Kraters were often elaborately decorated with scenes from mythology or daily life, and could be made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, bronze, and marble.

    There were several different types of kraters in ancient Greece, and they can be grouped according to the shape of the two handles, or of the vessel itself:

    • A Volute krater has handles shaped like the volutes on an Ionic capital, whereas a column krater has columnar handles.
    • A calyx krater is shaped flower bud, while a bell krater is shaped like a bell.
    Kraters were an important part of Greek social and cultural life, and their decoration and style evolved over time as Greek art and society changed.
  • Laurel Leaf - The use of the laurel leaf as a decorative element can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was closely associated with victory and honour. In these cultures, the laurel was a sacred tree that was dedicated to the god Apollo and was believed to have protective and healing properties.

    In ancient Greece, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors in athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, as a symbol of their achievement. The wreath was also associated with academic achievement, and was often worn by scholars and poets. The Greeks also used the laurel leaf as a symbol of victory in war, and it was often depicted in artwork alongside images of triumphant warriors and heroes.

    The Romans continued this tradition, and the laurel wreath became a symbol of the highest military honor, the triumph, awarded to victorious generals. The wreath was also used to crown emperors and other important officials, and was often depicted in Roman art and architecture as a symbol of power and authority.

    The laurel leaf is still used as a symbol of achievement, success, and excellence, and is frequently used in logos, emblems, and other branding materials. Its association with victory and honour has made it a popular choice for awards, medals, and other forms of recognition.

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