Asset number
1613703190
Description
Athenian drinking mug (head vase) in the form of the head of a bearded Persian.
The bearded head wears a Persian soft skin hat ('kidaris'), properly tied under the chin. There is also a broad fillet tied around the head, the ends knotted at the rear. His forehead is furrowed, eyebrows contracted and mouth open, all suggesting fear or pain. The head was mould-made and the clay was covered first with a white slip, over which other colours were added.
Above the head there is on the mouth of the vase a red-figure scene of a mistress and maid. The elegant mistress (long chiton, mantle, bracelets, earrings, and sphendone) sits to left on a chair, gazing at her image in a mirror, while the servant stands holding a closed box before her. This servant is dressed in an oriental trouser-suit (probably made up of an 'anaxyrides' and a 'kandys'), with a sleeveless patterned 'ependytes' over the top, and a soft hat with ear-flaps hanging down (kidaris). She is presumably intended to be a Per… (See Merlin record for full description)
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