Phiale (South Italian Calenian ware)
3rd century BCE
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
3.8 × 19.8 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1961
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
A phiale is a shallow bowl used for wine. In religious ceremonies these bowls were used to pour libations to the gods, but in more domestic contexts they were used as drinking cups. This phiale is decorated in moulded relief with a frieze of four quadrigae, chariots drawn by four horses each. Each chariot is driven by Nike, the winged goddess representing Victory and each carries a god or goddess, namely Athena, Heracles, Ares and Dionysus. Phialai made of pottery are rare, and this one, with its metallic black glaze, imitates a silver form.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Calvi, Italy
Inscription
inscribed on the wheel of the fourth chariot in Greek script: epoiei (part of the signature)
Accession Number
270-D5
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
Shallow bowl decorated in metallic black glaze with a prominent central raised boss (omphalos). Decorated in moulded relief with a frieze, around the boss, of four quadrigae, each driven by a Victory and containing Athena, Heracles, Ares and Dionysus. The scene is probably the apotheosis of Herakles. The underside of the boss is reserved.
The chariots: 1) Athena and winged Eros, 2)Herakles, 3) Warrior/shield and 4) young man (or woman?)