Berlin V.I. 3172 (Vase)
Side A: Orpheus. Side B: youths and women.
- ID:
- aa_5573
- Type:
- Vase
- Date:
- ca. -440
- Period:
- Classical
- Context:
- From Gela
- Region:
- Sicily
- Painter:
- Name vase of the Orpheus Painter
- Condition:
The vase is generally in very good condition, with the exception of some pitting of the surface, especially under the handles and around Orpheus on side A.
- Dimensions:
-
H. 51.0 cm.
- Ware:
- Attic Red Figure
- Shape:
- Column krater
Decoration Description
Side A: Orpheus. Orpheus sits on a rock or hillock playing on a large lyre, his head tilted back and his mouth open in song. His mantle is pushed down around his waist to leave his upper body free, and his head is wreathed. Four men in Thracian riding mantles stand listening to him. On the right, facing Orpheus, a young man leans on his spear, one foot propped on the hillock. An older, bearded man stands on the far right. His mantle is wrapped closely around him, hiding his hands, one of which holds a spear. To the left of Orpheus, a young man stands facing forward, his eyes closed as he listens to the music, his weight resting on his spear. Another young man leans on his shoulder, his eyes fixed on Orpheus. He holds two spears in his right hand. All four of the men listening wear fur caps which have a striped cloth neckpiece hanging from the back to protect the back of the neck from sun. The three young men wear their mantles flung over their shoulders, exposing their bodies, while the older man is wrapped tightly in his. The cap of the youth on the far left is worn hanging behind his back.
Side B: two couples in conversation. In both couples the woman stands on the right, the man on the left. The woman in the right-hand couple plays catch with a ball. A young man faces her holding his staff and conversing. The woman wears a chiton, himation and sakkos, the man a mantle. The woman in the left-hand couple stands facing forward, her head turned toward her companion on the left who is pointing at her. She looks down at the pointing finger. The woman wears a chiton and himation, her right hand tucked into the himation. The man wears a mantle and carries a crooked staff. Jumping weights hang on the wall between them.
- Collection:
- Berlin, Antikenmuseen
