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The wide-mouthed bell krater was designed for
mixing wine with water. This superb vessel may
once have been used at a symposium, or
drinking party, an occasion for philosophical
discussion as well as drinking and music. The
obverse depicts a naked male in the centre,
seated and wearing a sakkos in his hair. In his
left hand he holds a thyrsus, at the same time
turning his head to face the draped female
behind him. A bearded satyr stands to the
viewer’s far left, wearing a fillet and raising a cup
in his hand. To the right of the central figure
hovers a winged Eros who unites the seated male
and the woman to the far right by touching them
both with his outstretched arms. The woman is
heavily draped and appears to be dancing. The
laurel motif adorns the band beneath the rim and
the meander design forms the groundline. The
figures are flanked on both sides by the palmette
complex.
The reverse shows three heavily draped males.
The figure to the viewer’s far left clutches a
tympanum and the central figure leans on a staff.
The figure on the far right gesticulates towards
the other two.
- (AM.0077)
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