The wide-mouthed bell krater was designed for mixing wine with water. This superb vessel may have been utilised at a symposium, or drinking party, an occasion for philosophical discussion as well as drinking and music.The obverse depicts a naked male who glances back over his shoulder towards a draped female. The male holds a thyrsus in his outstretched right hand and what appears to be a full basket in a movement of gesture towards the female. A chlamys draped over the figure’s left arm billows in the direction of his left leg. The fabric is aligned with the X-shaped composition of the male’s body ensuring full use of the field is made. The standing female holds a thyrsus in her left hand and bunches of grapes and ivy in her right. Her hair is arranged high on her head, beneath a sakkos. The field is further embellished with ivy leaves. The figures are flanked by a palmette design and surmounted by a laurel motif around the rim and a meander design towards the base.The reverse shows two young draped males facing one another yet separated by a palmette design. The figure on the viewer’s right holds a staff in his right hand. The palmette design appears again on either side of the figures and there are tongues around the handles. - (AM.0021)

Antiquities
Ancient Unknown