Vase Catalog Number: Berlin F 2298

Decoration:

Interior: porter carrying a sack past a herm. A naked, bearded man carries a large, cylindrical sack past a herm. The man bends under the weight of the sack which he carries on his back, using both hands to hold it in place. The sack, decorated with red, wavy lines, is tied on both ends. The herm stands on a base on the right. The base of an altar(?) is only partially preserved on the left.

Side A: symposium. Four bearded men and a flute-player recline on cushions and each other's knees. The men are drinking and talking animatedly. The man on the left throws back his head (singing?), one arm draped over it; he holds a skyphos his other hand. Behind him reclines the young flute-player, playing his double flute. The man in the center turns his head to talk to the man behind him, gesturing with one hand and ready to fling the dregs of his wine from his kylix with the other (kottabos). Behind him his friend drinks from his kylix, his head seen full-face. The man on the right gestures and holds high a phiale. All five men wear mantles and wreaths. A lyre hangs above the man on the left, and a staff leans near him.

Side B: symposium. Five men drink and converse, reclining on cushions. The man on the left holds a phiale, his other arm outstretched, and turns to listen to the man behind him who seems to be explaining something, both his hands held so that thumb and index finger touch; his right hand holds a flower. The man in the center holds a skyphos resting on his left forearm and turns to listen to the man behind him, who also holds a skyphos and gestures with his other hand. The man on the right plays krotala. All five men wear mantles and wreaths and are bearded. Drinking vessels decorate the band running below the figured scene. They include foot-shaped tankards and a one-handled skyphos with a phallos protruding from one side.

Graffiti:

There are potter's marks under the foot.

Collection History:

The vase was acquired by Gerhard in Rome in 1841.

Condition:

The cup is in good condition. There is pitting and encrustion of the surface on the interior and near one handle on side A.

Sources Used:

CVA, Germany 21, Berlin 2: pl. 64.1-2, 66.5, 125.1,5, 134.6.

Other Bibliography:

R.I. M 34; Dionysos no. 45; Boardman 1975, fig. 305; Marcadé 1962, 113; AttiMGrecia NS 9-10 (1968-69) pl. 20; AA 1985, 246, fig. 25; BullVirginia 21 (1981) 2, 10, fig. 13.

(Kathleen Krattenmaker)