- Museum number
- 1836,0224.64
- Description
-
Pottery: red-figured kylix.
Interior: Within a circle of single maeanders, a satyr riding on a mule. The mule, saddled with a pack-saddle (άστράβη), and bridled, and with head erect, moves slowly to left. The satyr is seated side saddle, so as to front the spectator, with his feet crossed, and looks to right; he has on his left arm a thyrsos, and his right lies loosely on the shoulder of the mule.
Exterior: (a) Dionysos riding on mule between two satyrs dancing. Dionysos (bearded, long hair, wreathed with ivy, short chiton, mantle floating back from left arm, high endromides with flaps) bestrides the mule, which moves slowly to right. He carries a thyrsos in his right, and extends his left, throwing back his head as if singing. Before him a satyr dances forward on to his left foot, with head thrown back, his right arm extended sideways, and swinging his thyrsos behind his back with his left. From the stem of this thyrsos sprouts a shoot of ivy. Behind Dionysos a second satyr moves forward in a crouching posture, slapping his thigh with his left and extending his right in front of him, with thyrsos set upright on the ground.
(b) Similar scene. Here it is a satyr who reclines upon the mule, as on a couch, resting his elbow on the bottom of the neck and his crossed legs along the spine. In his right is a thyrsos with ivy-shoots, with which, held head downwards, he seems to beckon the figure following, or else to be beating the mule. This figure springs forward upon his left foot, holding up in his left a blazing torch; his right arm is in a peculiar position, arched in front of his forehead with fingers pointing downwards. The mule is led by the rein by a third satyr, who walks forward on right, holding up in his left a torch. The thyrsos of the riding satyr has a very small head, composed apparently of five ivy leaves. The satyrs throughout are wreathed with ivy. The mules have the cross mark on the shoulders clearly indicated in black.
Under the foot, an incised character, Λ.
Spirited composition; drawing in parts careful, and in parts very rough. Purple wreaths of satyr and rein in b. Inner markings in light brown, which is also used to indicate the rough hair on the mule's legs. Eye in profile. Beneath and beside each handle, an elaborate quadruple palmette.
- Production date
- 430BC-420BC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 25.40 centimetres
-
Height: 10.16 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- BM Cat. Vases
For the pack-saddle, cf. Hartwig, Meistersch. p. 564. For a satyr reclining on a mule, cf. Clarac iv, 696, no. 1610 Α.
- Location
- On display (G20a/dc2/shB)
- Acquisition date
- 1836
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1836,0224.64
