DRAG IMAGE TO ROTATE ARTWORK
Cup (Attic red-figure ware)
late 6th century BCE
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
12.6 × 40.7 × 32.7 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1957
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
The red-figure technique, whereby the figures were left in red clay and the background was black-glazed, was invented around 530 BCE. The interior of this cup depicts a satyr (acompanion of Dionysus, Greek god of wine) carrying a full wine skin and athyrsos (fennel stalk), thus emphasising his association with Dionysus. The exterior shows the aftermath of one of Heracles’ Labours, a series of twelve tasks carried out by the greatest of all the Greek heroes. The giant Alkyoneus tried to steal Heracles’ cattle, so the goddess Athena sent the god Hypnos to put the giant to sleep. Here, the winged Hypnos is depicted sitting on the huge naked body of the outstretched giant.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Attica, Greece
Inscription
inscribed around exterior edge of foot: PAMPHAIOS EPOIESEN
inscribed on exterior scenes: (scattered Greek letters)
Accession Number
1730-D4
Department
Antiquities
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
A large two-handled, stemmed cup. In the tondo (interior floor) a bearded silen runs to left with a wineskin and thyros. On the exterior Side A: Herakles approaches the sleeping giant Alkyoneus, with Hermes, Hypnos, Athena and perhaps Telamon. Side B: Dionysus is central with two oxen and two Maenads. Below the handles is a large ivy leaf and below the scenes is a meander band. The cup was misfired and much of the glaze is discoloured.