Vase Catalog Number: Harvard 1960.339

Parallels:

The scene on Side A may be based on Bacchylides' account (Bacchyl. 17.97-116) of Theseus visiting Poseidon's palace; see P. Jacobsthal, Theseus auf dem Meeresgrunde (Leipzig 1911); Neils 1987, 90; and Brommer 1982, 77-83, pls. 22-23. Pausanias (Paus. 1.17.2) says the subject was depicted by the artist Mikon in a painting in a sanctuary of Theseus in Athens. Mikon's painting should date to Kimon's renovation of the Theseion, sometime between 478 and 470, so the Harrow Painter may well have drawn his inspiration from the mural. Bacchylides says Theseus received a mantle and wreath from Amphitrite, both of which he wears here; cf. the crowning of Theseus by Amphitrite on a kylix by the Briseis Painter, New York 53.11.4 (ARV2, 406,7), and a pelike by the Triptolemos Painter, Copenhagen, Ny Carlsberg 2695 (ARV2, 362,19). The additional red wreath Amphitrite holds on this vase is apparently superfluous. The column indicates that the setting is the palace of Poseidon, the megaron theon mentioned by Bacchylides. On a calyx-krater by the Syriskos Painter (Paris, Cab. Méd. 418; ARV2, 260,2), Amphitrite stands behind Poseidon, who shakes hands with Theseus. Sometimes only Poseidon and Theseus are represented; e.g. Yale 1913.143 (Buitron 1972, 109, no. 59). In other contexts, Theseus is also shown shaking hands with Aigeus, who welcomes him to Athens (Louvre G 195; ARV2, 381,174). Pollitt correctly interprets the scene on London E 264 (ARV2, 579,1) as Theseus shaking hands with Pittheus on his departure from Troizen: Pollitt 1987, infra. For the funerary overtones of handshaking (dexiosis), see G. Davies, AJA 89 (1985) 627-40. The back-to-back palmettes on the obverse rim are unusual ornament for a column-krater; cf. the black palmettes on Cleveland 30.104 (ARV2, 516,1). For the subject of Side B, cf. the citharist and judge on another column-krater by the Harrow Painter: Sotheby's, New York, 20, May 1982, no. 100.

Collection History:

Formerly in the collection of the Princess Tricase; later in the Garrett Chatfield Pier collection; purchased in sale of the latter in New York (American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, March 6-7, 1936, no. 4239).

Condition:

Unbroken. The surface in worn and abraded in several places, particularly on Nereus and the Nereid on side A, and the black glaze on side B, the foot, handle B/A, and beneath handle A/B. Irregular stain marks and discoloration in the figure scenes were caused by the removal of incrustation.

Shape Description:

Column-krater: bulbous body tapering to a foot in two degrees, consisting of a thick torus beneath a more slender torus-riser. A red fillet separates foot and body. The side of the rim is concave and flaring.

Sources Used:

CVA, Robinson 2

Other Bibliography:

CVA, Robinson 2, 25-27, pls. 31-33; Robinson exhibition catalogue 1961, no. 98; B. Gentili, ArchCl 6 (1954) 121-25, pls. 30-31; Neils 1987, 90 and 160, no. 48, fig. 41; J. J. Pollitt, Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (spring 1987) 11-12, fig. 4.

(Michael Padgett)