In an overview of Ancient Greek pottery, perhaps
no single style is as charming as the works
originating from the Italian province of Apulia.
The Greek colonies of southern Italy (known in
antiquity as Magna Graecia) were marked by their
initial allegiance to the ceramic styles of the Attic
mainland. However, over the years, native
traditions and innovations heavily influenced the
works of Magna Grecian potters. Unorthodox
forms and painting-styles were seamlessly
merged with the standard Greek style, creating
distinctive works of art unique to the Hellenistic
world.
Belonging to a well-known class of drinking
vessels, this splendid terracotta rhyton is a
particularly rare representation, since most of
similar examples portray ram’s heads. Here, this
head clearly lacks any horns as is surely intended
to be the female counterpart. The rhyton's body
is in the form of a sheep's head, beautifully
realized in black gloss, the eye in red figure,
heightening the sense of realism. At the back the
flaring spout is decorated with a red-figure
design showing a seated woman holding a cista
and a mirror. A flat strap handle joins the back of
the animal's head with the underside of the rim,
facilitating the use of this vessel as a drinking
horn. Holding this fabulous rhyton in our hands,
we feel as if we have taken center stage in a
luxurious Dionysian festival. Music, laughter,
and the sounds of revelry fill the air. Dancers
swirl around in the delights of the drink. And we
lose ourselves in the celebration of life
represented by this vessel.
- (X.0049)
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