Asset number
518343001
Description
Pottery: black-figured hydria. Designs in black on red panels with borders of palmettes down the sides, and lotus-buds along the bottom; accessories of purple and white. 1. On the shoulder: Heracles and the Nemean lion: Composition as usual for the scene; Heracles is nude, and wears a fillet; he kneels on right knee and seizes the lion's left foreleg with right hand, his left arm being compressed round its neck. The lion plants its left hind-paw on his head. Above are Heracles' bow and quiver suspended. On the left is Athene, seated to right, with long embroidered chiton and aegis with snake-border behind; in right hand a spear, in left she holds out her high-crested helmet. Behind her is Hermes also seated to right, bearded, with hair looped up behind, petasos, long chiton, and chlamys, left hand raised to lips. On the right is Iolaos, kneeling to left; he is bearded, with sword at side and drapery over left arm, which is extended; in right hand, Heracles' club. 2. On the body: Departure of warriors: Four male figures on horseback, riding to right; all have slight beards and wear petasi fastened with fillets, short white chitons, and chlamydes; each carries two spears. Of the first little is visible; the second and third have their chlamydes over their knees; the fourth has his fastened with a fibula in front; he also carries a shield with two pellets and a Satyric mask in high relief. They are accompanied by three dogs, the first and third to left looking back, the second to right with nose on the ground. In the field, imitation inscription. On the foot, incised characters.
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