Krater and Lid
Date: 3rd century BCE
Dimensions:
H (with lid): 25 in. (63.5 cm); H (to rim): 14 26/32 in. (37.6 cm); Diam (with handles): 17 1/2 in. (44.4 cm); Diam (rim): 12 in. (30.5 cm); Diam (foot): 5 29/32 in. (15.0 cm); Diam (lid): 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
Medium: Polychrome painted, wheel-thrown earthenware with applied decoration
Place of Origin: Greece, Sicilian
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1972.56A-B
Label Text:The scene painted on the side of this vessel shows gifts being received by a bride. She wears elaborate jewelry and is accompanied by two women holding a fan and a parasol. The head and shoulders of a woman painted on the lid may represent an idealized portrait of the bride or of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
The fragile pastel colors—pink, blue, yellow, and green—and gilded details were painted after the vase was fired and survive only because the vase was made as a tomb offering. The ancient Greeks often buried wedding regalia and jewelry with girls and young women who died before marriage.
The fragile pastel colors—pink, blue, yellow, and green—and gilded details were painted after the vase was fired and survive only because the vase was made as a tomb offering. The ancient Greeks often buried wedding regalia and jewelry with girls and young women who died before marriage.
On view
In Collection(s)