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 draped female resting her weight on her left leg before a naked seated male, possibly a young Dionysius. The female carries a thyrsus in her left hand and a tambourine in her right. The male holds a phiale in his right hand and a thrysus in his left. His curly black hair is arranged beneath a fillet. The field around the figures is adorned with rosettes and a fillet. The figures are flanked by a palmette design beneath the handles, with the meander motif encircling near the base and the laurel motif beneath the rim.The reverse shows two young draped males facing one another, each holding a staff before them. There is a four quarter disc in the field behind the figures’ heads. - (AM.0022)

Antiquities
Ancient Unknown