| Collection: | Malibu, The J. Paul Getty Museum |
| Summary: | Side A: Andromeda and Kassiopeia, with attendants Side B: Four women, a youth, and a flying Eros |
| Ware: | Apulian Red Figure |
| Painter: | Attributed to the Darius Painter |
| Date: | ca. 340 BC - ca. 330 BC |
| Dimensions: | H. 61.0 cm., d. of mouth 24.5 cm., d. of body 38.5 cm., d. of foot 21.3 cm. |
| Shape: | Pelike |
| Period: | Late Classical/Early Hellenistic |
Condition:
There is some repainting over joins, and on some figures, particularly Andromeda, Homonoia, and the woman next to her.
Decoration Description:
The groove on the underside of the mouth is reserved. On the neck on side A are an egg-and-dot pattern, enclosed upright palmettes alternating with lotus buds and added red and white flowers all between reserved lines, an egg-and-dot pattern, and a row of white pendants, and on side B two reserved lines, partly enclosed upright palmette fans with mostly flaked-off white dots at the core and next to the top central leaf and beside the leaves between palmettes, an egg pattern, and a row of white pendants. Encircling the vase below the picture are groups of several meanders at a time, interrupted by crossed squares with hollow squares in each of the divisions. One crossed square under the left handle has dotted squares inside. Under both handles are three pairs of superposed palmettes with side scrolls and palmette fans decorated with white dots and white-tipped petal rosettes. In the central group are two palmette fans base to base; beneath them is a third from which smaller palmette fans radiate. On either side two large enclosed palmettes with side scrolls appear. The body-foot join is reserved. On the foot is a reserved groove and band at the lower edge. The reserved underside has a white disk at the center.
The subject of side A is the triumph of Andromeda. Two registers form the scene, with the two Erotes slightly overlapping. In the upper register are two youths in Phrygian dress. The lefthand youth stands frontally. In his left hand he holds a parasol over the head of the seated second youth, while he has a horn shell in his right hand. He is wearing a short dotted chiton with long sleeves decorated in a lattice pattern, similarly decorated pants, a belt, a Phrygian cap in added white, a shoulder cord over his chest, and shoes. The neck of his chiton has a dot stripe, and its lower edge is bordered in plain black. The righthand youth is dressed similarly, but the lower edge of his chiton has a dot stripe, and his sleeves and pants have an added white zigzag pattern. In his left hand he has two spears, and he turns his head to the left to look at his companion. Above his head is an added white ball, some of the white flaked off. Next to the second youth is the standing figure of Aphrodite, inscribed
In the lower register a woman is seated facing right on a folding stool decorated with a white meander. She is wearing a short-sleeved chiton, a cloak covering her lower body, slippers, and a wreath. Her hair is fixed in a bun at the back of her head. In her lap she is holding an open box whose sides are decorated with two added-white stripes with a central black stripe between. She has a double stranded necklace of white beads and a double bracelet on her right forearm. On the ground below her sits a mesomphalic phiale. She is looking toward a standing woman in a long chiton that leaves her right shoulder bare. Its bottom part is decorated with added white. She also has a cloak, saccos, bandeau, a double stranded bead necklace, and a double bracelet on her right arm. She is holding a fan, and beside her is a vertical inscription,
On side B are two registers, with four women wearing earrings, white beaded necklaces, and double bracelets; as well as a youth and Eros. In the upper register, a woman sits on the left, facing right, holding a long-handled mirror with most of its added-white details obliterated. She wears a chiton, a cloak over her lower body, slippers whose added white details have disappeared, and a sphendone. Her hair is gathered at the back of her head. To the left is a fillet. Facing her on the right is a standing woman with her left foot planted on a square box with added white and reserved decoration. This woman is bending forward over her raised right leg and wearing a sleeveless chiton, a sphendone, and a radiate stephane. In her right hand she holds a double flower and in her left, a rosette with a white center. Another rosette appears in the field below. Above to the right appears a fillet with white ribbons.
In the lower register a woman stands at left, wearing a peplos with a long overfall and jewelry. A cloak hangs over her forearm. In her left hand she holds a cista decorated with white lines and meanders, and in her right hand is an open wreath with a fillet tied around it. Next to her is a woman seated with her body pointing left. She is on a folding stool, and she wears a shortsleeved chiton and a cloak over her lower body. She holds a white mirror in her right hand, as she turns her head right to look at a standing youth holding a wreath. He has a black-bordered cloak over his arm and falling between his legs. He is wearing a white bandeau. A phiale and an alabastron are seen in the field below the seated woman; most of the phiale's white has flaked off. Between the seated woman and the youth is a branch with white fruit resembling apples. To the far right is a kalathos with a fillet looped over it and a ball on top. In the top center, flying to the right is an Eros with outspread wings holding a phiale in his left hand and a fillet in his right. In the field behind him is a fillet.
Shape Description:
The broad echinoid mouth has a deep groove underneath. The neck is short and the handles high and vertical. The body is bulbous. The foot has two degrees, with a groove where it joins the body.
Inscriptions:
Beside Aphrodite is the inscription
Collection History:
Ex-European art market.
Sources Used:
Other Bibliography: