Kantharos in the form of a Satyr's Head

Kantharos in the form of a Satyr's Head

TERRACOTTA

A one-handled kantharos or 'mug' (Beardsley) with a body that is a very carefully and skilfully modelled head of a beribboned and bearded elderly satyr, probably because of his age and animal ears identifiable as Silenus. A follower of Dionysus and therefore associated with wine and festivities, this figure was an appropriate subject for the decoration of a wine cup. Maenad heads are also frequently used and are sometimes placed on the opposite side of the base. Head vases show the influence of a Greek vase shape and decoration on Etruscan vase production. In this example, above the head, the base is cylindrical in shape and ends in a flaring lip. The satyr's neck forms a slightly flaring base for the vase, ending in a foot with a double rounded moulding. The vase is closed underneath and has a single flat strap handle that passes from the top of the back of the satyr's head upwards beside the top section of the vase. It leaves the side of the vase about halfway up this section and curves over below the lip, passing down to join the middle of the back of the satyr head. The handle is decorated with two deep grooves and splits just before it attaches to the back of the head, leaving a triangular gap between the handle roots and the side of the vase. The clay is very smooth, light creamy orange in colour. The top of the base is decorated with careful black figure geometric decoration with white details while the handle, foot mouldings, lip and vase interor are painted black. Remains of white, dark pinkish-red and yellow on the ribbon. The vase is in very good condition although the black on the handle has flaked extensively and the paint has largely disappeared. The remaining black has minor scratches and chips and the moulded ribbon and the bent horse ears of the satyr have been repaired. There is also a crack across the base of the vase that probably occurred during firing.

Italic

Etruscan

Late Etruscan

Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, with funds from the Castlehow Bequest, 1982.

400 - 300 BC

82.020

Italy

Etruria