The Greek colonies of southern
Italy(known in
antiquity as Magna Grecia) 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. This gorgeous hydria is
decorated in a
fashion characteristic of the Pasteum
style. A
nude male youth, crowned with a laurel
wreath,
sits upon a rocky outcropping covered by
his
tunic holding a small bird on his
finger. A
woman approaches from the other
direction and
looks upon the youth. This scene is
framed
below by a band of spiraling waves, a
pattern
repeated on the edge of the lip. The
remainder
of the body is decorated with a series
of swirling
palmette motifs, typical of Magna
Grecian art. In
antiquity, this lovely three-handled
vessel would
have been used to draw, transport and
dispense
water. Sometimes, such vessels were
even used
as cinerary urns, revealing how much
they were
adored and honored in antiquity. Surely
such a
marvelously painted vessel would have
impressed and delighted all who gaze
upon it as
it continues to today.
- (PF.6162)
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