hydria
- Museum number
- 1978,0404.1
- Description
-
Pottery: part of a red figure hydria.
Toilet of Helen? On a couch covered with an embroidered rug, and with a striped cushion at each end, Helen is seated to left with her feet crossed on a footstool: she wears a long chiton, with a mantle around her legs, a wreath, earrings, necklace of beads, bracelets, and shoes: her left hand rests on a cushion, her right on her knees, and she looks down to left. On the left hand cushion Eros, in a radiated fillet, stands looking down at her, holding up some object in his left hand. In the background behind Helen is a pair of folding doors confronting the spectator, and partly open. On the right a woman stands en face, leaning on her right elbow and looking down at the central group: she wears an himation only, which covers her left arm and leaves the breast bare, a necklace of beads, bracelets, and earrings. Beside her, on a lower level, a second woman is seated to left: the upper part of her body, except a small portion of her head, is broken away; she wears a long chiton and bracelets, and leans on her left hand. On the right are seen the legs of a male (?) figure facing to left; perhaps the right hand which rests on the shoulder of the first woman belongs to him. On the left of the central group stands a woman in long chiton, himation covering both arms, earrings, and necklace, looking on: the upper part of her head is wanting. On the bottom of the foot, incised characters, ΠOI.
Late stage of fine style. White, with brown details, is used for the flesh of Eros. Gilding on a raised ground for jewellery. Below, a band of egg pattern. Below the side handles, a palmette.
- Production date
- 450BC-400BC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 12.60 centimetres (foot)
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Height: 30.20 centimetres
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Width: 24.80 centimetres
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- The neck, left side of design, and entire back of the vase is broken away.
- Acquisition notes
- Found unregistered; acquired before 1870.
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1978,0404.1