Patera (libation vessel) with Kouros Handle

Place of OriginGreece, from southern Italy, perhaps Locri

Dateabout 500 BCE

DimensionsH (max) 18 7/8 × H (handle) 8 1/2 × W (max) 11 1/8 × D (max) 1 5/8 × Diam (patera) 11 1/8 in. (47.9 × 21.6 × 28.3 × 4.1 × 28.3 cm)

MediumBronze

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1967.130

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 02, Classic

Label TextThe term patera is used to describe broad, shallow vessels believed to have been used to pour libations (sacrificial offerings), or perhaps as serving dishes, or even as collection plates. Many were ultimately buried in graves as funeral gifts. The handle is a small-scale sculpture of a kouros (nude young man) who rests his feet on a ram’s head and supports two rams on his upraised hands. The slender body with taut muscles and the richly dressed long hair reflect the Greek ideal of youthful male beauty.Published ReferencesToledo Museum of Art, "Treasures for Toledo," Toledo Museum of Art Museum News, new series, vol. 12, no. 4, Winter 1969, repr.

Comparative ReferencesSee also Gjödesen, Mogen, "Bronze paterae with anthropomorphous handles," Acta Archaeologica, 15, 1944, 101 ff.

cf. Jantzen, U., "Griechische Griffphialen," 114 Berliner Winkelmanns-program, 1958.

cf. Schefold, Meisterwerke Griechischer Kunst, 1960, 180 and Jantzen, Griffphialen 24 ff, pl. 17-18; Munich, Antikensammlung 3533 (Gjödesen no. 53), pl. 19-20; Karlsruhe (Gjödesen no. 69).

cf. Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel, auction 34, May 6, 1967, no. 6, repr.