Late 5th Century BC Greek Attic Red Figure Bell Krater

Greek Attic red figure terracotta bell krater, late 5th century…
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Greek Attic red figure terracotta bell krater, late 5th century BC, with spreading lip, above bell shaped body, decorated with a figure of a man with staff and lady holding box and grapes, raised on a circular foot, a/f (restored), height 21.5 cm

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  • Terracotta - Terracotta is lightly fired earthenware, red or reddish-brown in colour, used in ancient times. Fired at higher temperatures terracotta was used in the nineteenth century for decorative vases and similar objects, but rarely for utilitarian goods. Other uses for terracotta include roofing tiles, garden pots and ornaments. Glazed terracotta is known as faience.
  • A/f, as Inspected - The letters "A/F" or "as inspected" as part of a description is the cataloguer's shorthand for "all faults" or "as found", meaning the item has some type of damage or deficiency, it is of uncertain date or provenance, and/or that the seller takes no responsibility for the completeness of the item or the accuracy of the description.
  • 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.

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