Terms and conditions of use
Bell krater (Campanian red-figure ware)
350 BCE-340 BCE
Medium
earthenware
Measurements
31.4 × 36.4 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1979
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
This bell krater is the so-called ‘name vase’ for the Boating Painter. It is from the particular details and style of the decoration on this krater that the Boating Painter has been identified. On the main scene a boat is being rowed by a satyr over the sea, with a woman and a young naked satyr-boy as the satyr’s companions. Other objects include a wine amphora and a tall stand used for the game of kottabos, a party drinking game. The players would throw their wine dregs at a target – here the balanced disc on top of the vertical rod – in order to dislodge it. Wine, women and satyrs are from the realm of Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Campania, Italy
Accession Number
D27-1979
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
An inverted bell-shaped vessel with two short handles set well below the flaring rim. Decorated in red-figure. Side A: a boating scene with a small boat rowed by a bearded satyr, also carrying a woman seated in the prow holding a phiale, and a naked satyr-boy in the stern; also in the boat is a wine jar and a kottabos stand. Below the boat are dolphins. Side B: 2 draped youths. At the handles, convovulus flower and tendrils. Band of laurel below mouth and rough meander band below the scenes.