Paestan Bell Krater of the Python-Silenus-Group

Culture: Greek/Paestan

Period: 350-340 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 31.4 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 2183

Provenance: Dutch private collection, acquired around 1920. Exhibited at Gallery Mieke Zilverberg, TEFAF Maastricht in March 2016.

Condition: Excellently preserved.

Description: Bell krater of the Python-Group, which is considered to be the leading workshop of Paestan vase painting in the second half of the fourth century B.C. Typical are the one-figure paintings, whereby there is always a Silenus represented on one side. In our model Silenus is depicted without clothes, resting with his left arm on a thyrsus with a dangling taenia, while his right leg is positioned on a rock. In his right hand he is holding a dotted stick with a taenia. The function of the stick is still under discussion amongst scholars. J.D. Beazley sees it as a fruit stick. Silenus wears a hair band and a body jewellery around his chest and ankles. Dionysus is depicted on the other side, also with a thyrsus with a dangling taenia. His hair falling long on his shoulder, wearing a flower wreath on his forehead. Over his left shoulder a coat. In front of him an altar, where the young god offers white fruits or eggs. Below the rim large laurel leaves, as base of the scene a circulating wave band to the right. Palmettes below the handles.