Vase Catalog Number: Boston 99.538

Decoration:

On sides A and B, nearly identical scenes of Herakles driving the Cretan Bull, that on side A in black figure, on side B in red figure. Herakles drives the bull to the right to sacrifice, holding a club in his right hand, and in his left a rope which passes around the horns of the bull, and a bundle of spits secured by slides. Herakles wears a short chiton, a lion skin, a belt, and has a sword and quiver slung at his left side and two wineskins over his left arm. The bull's head is filleted for sacrifice. Behind the bull, a tree.

On side A, added red is used for Herakles' beard, belt, quiver, one wineskin, and parts of the bull's mane and testicles, lines on its neck and ribs and one on the hindquarters. On side B, most of Herakles' figure has relief contour, and parts of the bull and the tree. Brown used for Herakles' knees, fingers and toes, wrist, elbows, the lion's eye and other details.

Collection History:

In collection of Basseggio in 1842 and hence possible Vulci provenience. Later in collections of Joly de Bammeville and Forman.

Shape Description:

Amphora Type A.

Sources Used:

Caskey & Beazley, 3, 7-8

Essay: C & B No. 115

(Beth McIntosh)