Amphora with Dionysos and Thiasos

Amphora with Dionysos and Thiasos

TERRACOTTA

A one-piece amphora with a lip which is squarish in profile and slightly flaring. There is a smooth curve from the neck to the rounded belly and again as the vase narrows towards the base. The foot is an inverted echinus shape. The symmetrically placed handles are round in cross section and curve from the neck to the shoulder of the vase. On each side there is a reserved panel with a black-figure scene: on Side A, a central Dionysos grasping a drinking horn with a dancing maenad and satyr on each side; on Side B, a group of figures holding spears. The seated older figure (perhaps Zeus) faces one youth while two others stand behind him. The colours are black and red plus added red on the clothing and hair of the figures. The base has been carefully repaired from a number of fragments. There is some restoration. It is in good condition with some wear evident. In places the black is thin or has not covered the red clay.

A container for wine or oil.

a) The exterior of the vase is painted black except for the reserved panels and a reserved line half way between the bottom of the panel and the foot on each side. The top of the lip and the bottom edge of the foot are reserved.
b) Each panel is framed by a dilute slip line on three sides and a band of dotted linked lotus buds at the top. Incision is used on all figures, for anatomical features and for details of clothing. Added red is used on all clothing. All figures are shown in profile, but the maenads and naked figures have frontal torsos.
c) Side A: Dionysos with a red beard and headdress stands in the centre looking right and holding a drinking horn. He wears a chiton and himation. To his right is a dancing maenad. The lower part of her body moves right, but the top part of her body is twisted and she looks back to the left. There is a naked, dancing satyr to her right. He faces left. To the left of Dionysos is another maenad who faces left while her body moves to the right. She is looking at a naked satyr who faces right and gestures with both hands. Both maenads wear headdresses and each wears a peplos. The satyrs have red hair and beards.
D) Side B: in the centre is a large figure with a red beard, dressed in a chiton and himation, who is seated on a stool with animal legs. He faces right and holds a spear. He is looking at a naked youth who faces left and holds a spear in his left hand. To the left of the seated figure is another naked youth who faces right and holds a spear in his right hand. Behind him is a cloaked figure who also has a spear in his right hand. Behind him is a cloaked figure who also has a spear and faces right. The hair of the youths is red.
E) Black extends about 25mm inside the mouth of the base.

Aegean

Greek

Archaic

Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, with funds from the Castlehow Bequest, 1972

c. 540 BC

72.002

Greece

Attica