Rhyton (Apulian red-figure ware)
350 BCE-325 BCE
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
17.0 × 23.0 × 11.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1966
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
A rhyton is a drinking horn. This one, created using a mould, is in the shapeof a lion’s head, but it was not intended for drinking as it lacks a pierced outlet in the lion’s mouth. Unpierced rhytons, often found in the southern Italian region of Apulia, are associated with grave deposits. The lion’s head may well derive from Attic (Athenian) moulds from the fifth-century BCE. The manufacture of rhytons undoubtedly required the skills of an experienced potter. The neck of the rhytonis conventionally decorated with a single figure of Eros, the Greek god of love. Here he is striding towards a small altar with a garland or wreath in his left hand.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Apulia, Italy
Inscription
none
Accession Number
1488-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
A drinking horn in the shape of a lion's head, with red-figure decoration on the neck and a thick strap handle from the rim to the base/resting position. Scene: Eros on the right approaches a small pillar/altar to the left. Under the handle is a palmette. On the rim edge is a band of tongues and dots. The ears, eyes and teeth of the lion are treated with added colour although the ears are repaired.