Greek red-figure hydria, South Italy, Apulia, 4th century BC
Terracotta
Height: 31.5cm
10444
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Painted in red-figure with added white, the body has two upturned horizontal handles to the sides and a long vertical handle at the back, running from the edge of the...
Painted in red-figure with added white, the body has two upturned horizontal handles to the sides and a long vertical handle at the back, running from the edge of the lip to the top of the shoulder. The front of the vase is decorated with a scene showing two youthful figures. To the left stands a draped female proffering a large circular tray in her left hand, her himation draped over her arm, in her right hand she holds up a bejewelled mirror. Her hair is tied in a high bun and held back from her face with a diadem. Before her is a nude male youth who holds up a leafy palm with his right hand whilst his left supports his weight on the folded drapery on which he is seated. Hanging in the space between them is a white fillet, and filling the negative space are rosettes. Subsidiary decoration includes a wave pattern beneath the main scene, a band of laurel leaves around the neck, and vertical black strokes around the lip. A large palmette and scrolling foliage decorates the back and the panels beneath the handles. Recomposed from several fragments with infill and overpainting.
A hydria was a vase used for carrying water. The two lateral handles were used to lift the vessel, and the single vertical handle was for pouring. In antiquity it was considered uncivilized to drink wine neat, and so water was poured from a hydria into a krater, where it was mixed with wine (and sometimes added herbs or spices), before being served.
A hydria was a vase used for carrying water. The two lateral handles were used to lift the vessel, and the single vertical handle was for pouring. In antiquity it was considered uncivilized to drink wine neat, and so water was poured from a hydria into a krater, where it was mixed with wine (and sometimes added herbs or spices), before being served.
Provenance
Comolli family, Paris, France; acquired 1960-70sMadame B. Gagneraud, Paris, France; by descent from the above, her father
