London B 210

London B 210 (Vase)

Side A: Achilles and Penthesilea. Side B: Dionysos and Oinopion.

ID:: aa_4332
Beazley Number:: 310389
Type:: Vase
Date:: ca. -540 — ca. -530
Period:: Archaic
Context:: From Vulci
Region:: Etruria
Painter:: Attributed to Exekias
Potter:: Signed by Exekias
Dimensions:: H. 0.413 m.
Ware:: Attic Black Figure
Shape:: Neck amphora

Shape Description

Neck amphora.

Decoration Description

Side A: Achilles slaying Penthesilea. Achilles plunges his spear into Penthesilea's throat, from which blood gushes. He is bearded, and wears a short chiton, greaves, a cuirass, sword, a high-crested helmet and carries a shield. Penthesilea, falling on one knee, tries in vain to defend herself with her spear; she wears a short chiton and pardalis, a sword and holds a shield. Both figures are labelled. Signed at left, *E*X*S*E*K*I*A*S *E*P*O*I*E*S*E ("Exekias made it"). At right, *O*N*E*T*O*R*I*D*E*S *K*A*L*O*S ("Onetorides is beautiful").

Side B: Dionysos holding vine-branches offers a kantharos to Oinopion ("Wine-drinking"), who holds an oinochoe. Dionysos wears a long white chiton and embroidered himation, holds vine branches in his left hand. Oinopion is naked, and wears a myrtle wreath. Both figures are labelled, and the vase is signed by Exekias. Palmettes and spirals around handles; double honeysuckle pattern on neck; maeander and lotus below panels.

Graffiti

Side A: figures are labelled *A*X*I*L*E*U*S, *P*E*N*Q*E*S*I*L*E*A ("Achilles", "Penthesilea"). The vase is signed, *E*X*S*E*K*I*A*S *E*P*O*I*E*S*E, ("Exekias made it"). At left, *O*N*E*T*O*R*I*D*E*S *K*A*L*O*S ("Onetorides is beautiful"). Side B: figures are labelled, *D*I*O*N*U*S*O*S, *O*I*N*O*P*I*O*N ("Dionysos", "Oinopion").