- Museum number
- 1843,1103.91
- Description
-
Pottery: black-figured hydria. Designs in black on red panels, with borders as last; accessories of white and purple.
1. On the shoulder: Three groups of a Gigantomachia, each group being a variation of one and the same motive: (1) In the centre, Athene to right, with helmet, long embroidered chiton, and striped himation, spear in right hand, trampling on the prostrate Enkelados, who lies to right with left leg drawn up; he has a visored helmet, short embroidered chiton, spear, and shield with two pellets. Another giant stands over him confronting Athene, armed as the last, with greaves and sword in addition, and two fishes as device on shield. (2) On the right is Hera (?), with long tresses, high-crested helmet, long chiton and himation, both embroidered, transfixing with spear a giant, whose shoulder she grasps with left hand. He has fallen on one knee to right, looking back at her; he is armed as Enkelados, and has a shield with two pellets on it. (3) On the left is a giant fallen on one knee to right, armed as the last; Artemis (?), to right, with long tresses, fillet, long embroidered chiton and striped himation, is transfixing him with spear. Another giant confronts her, armed as the last, with sword; on his shield is a pellet; he attacks her with uplifted spear.
2. On the body: Hydrophoria: Two fountains with water issuing from panthers' heads seen from the front; on the right is a hydria on a stand, which is being filled; over it are two maidens confronted; the one on the right has one foot on the stand; both have long tresses with fillets and pads on their heads, long chitons and himatia, both embroidered, hands extended. In the centre is another hydria on a stand, by which is a maiden to right, as the last, but with hair looped up under a close cap, with one foot on the stand and hands extended. Behind her is another maiden to right, looking to left, as the first two, with left hand raised. In the background is a tree spreading all over the field. Imitation inscriptions.
- Production date
- 510BC-500BC
- Dimensions
-
Height: 48.26 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
BM Cat. Vases
Overbeck, Kunstmyth. (Zeus), p. 351; Mayer, Gig. u. Titan, pp. 311, 328, 333.
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Scene (2) may show preparations for a ritual known as the Hydrophoria. This took place on the second day of the spring festival of the Anthesteria, and involved the ceremonial pouring of water into a particular chasm.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1843
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1843,1103.91