London E 163 (Vase)
Medea rejuvenating "Jason"
- ID:
- aa_5227
- Beazley Number:
- 202944
- Type:
- Vase
- Date:
- ca. -485 — ca. -470
- Period:
- Late Archaic
- Context:
- Vulci
- Region:
- Etruria
- Painter:
- Attributed to the Copenhagen Painter
- Dimensions:
-
H 0.562m
- Ware:
- Attic Red Figure
- Shape:
- Hydria
Shape Description
black figure shape, same as two hydriae: ARV2, 209, 166 (Vatican) and Para, 81 bis (Frankfort)
Decoration Description
Medea stands, named, on the left facing center. Her right arm is raised as she sprinkles magical herbs from a small hemispherical bowl which she holds in her left hand. Her hair is gathered into a sort of chignon and restrained by a broad fillet. She wears earrings, a long, sleeved chiton and mantle. At the center of the composition is a large lebes (basin) on a tripod which stands over a blazing fire with flames indicated in added red. Out from the lebes arises a ram which springs towards Medea as if in response to her magical herbs. On the right is Jason, named and facing Medea. He is shown as an aged man with white hair and a stippled, stubbly beard, leaning on his staff with his left arm. He extends his right toward Medea as if imploring her to act. He wears a long, sleeved chiton and mantle. It has been suggested that the inscription is erroneous and that Aeson, Jason's father, was intended to be shown.
The design occurs on the body only, without borders, except for a frieze of three meanders alternating with cross squares which provides a ground line for the figures. Around the neck there is a tongue pattern. Below the back-handle there are two palmettes, placed base to base.
Graffiti
Underneath the foot are incised characters
The two figures are named
- Collection:
- London, British Museum
Canino Collection, no. 1693
