Attic Column Krater with a Farewell Scene

Culture: Greek/Attic

Period: 550-510 B.C.

Material: Terrakotta

Dimensions: 29.2 cm x 36 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 2269

Provenance: Private collection Jacques Malatier (1926-2017), acquired on 11 July 1988 at Sotheby’s London, lot 110. Published in Beazley Archive Oxford with Vase Number 41555.

Condition: Except for one minor wear on the rim intact and of excellent quality.

Description: Magnificent column krater with black-figured painting. The first side depicts the farewell scene of a warrior with Pilos helmet and shield on his back while climbing on his quadriga. He is already holding the reins in his hands and his eyes are set on the horses. A woman, possibly his mother, with a long gown and fillet turning towards the warrior. Behind her an old man with long white hair and beard, holding a staff and with his other hand raised, virtually pointing to the future. The four horses with splendid red manes, one pair with slightly raised heads, the other pair with heads facing forward. Another woman stands in front of the horses, due to her clothes socially equal to the first one, suggested to be his wife. She has her right hand stretched out, directing downwards and anticipating the warrior's sad ending. The scene is framed by two red and one black line, on the sides ivy leaves and on top red-black tongues. The other side depicts the same warrior (identical shields) fighting two centaurs, which are throwing stones and storming towards him. Putting both sides in context to each other the parents’ and wife’s grief over the son and husband fallen in a war could be the subject. The centaurs as synonym for furious enemies in a battle are in the Attic imagery a frequent topos. The scene is framed the same way as side A. On the outer margins encircling meanders. On the top an encircling ivy pattern, on the handles tendrils.