This column krater is attributed to the artist known as the Boreas Painter, column kraters being the earliest form of the krater first imported from Corinth in the 6th Century B.C. A painted departure scene decorates one side of this vessel. Here, a woman wearing a chiton and himation offers a sip from a phiale to a youth wearing a chlamys over his shoulder and holding a staff. These two central figures are flanked on either side by a bearded man. The opposite side of the krater is adorned by a scene depicting three youths, each holding a staff and wearing a long himation. Similar vessels were believed to be used as cinerary urns, and surely this piece would have made a splendid memorial if that was the case. Considering the theme of the two scenes, it appears quite likely that this vessel might have played a funerary role, providing an opportunity for the deceased to continue the festivities of the symposium in the afterlife. - (X.0105)

Antiquities
Ancient Unknown