Vase Catalog Number: Harvard 1925.30.52

Decoration:

The figures are outlined in matte red. A woman and youth stand on either side of a tomb monument, consisting of a tall stele with a two-stepped base and a simple molding at the top; the latter resembles a Doric capital, but is probably a simple cyma reversa with fascia. The shaft is tied with red ribbons and there is a garland on the steps. The youth, at right, wears a red himation and leans on his staff, his right hand resting on his hip. He looks across at the woman, whose hair is bound in a chignon and who wears a diaphanous chiton, the added color of which has worn away. In her right hand she holds an exaleiptron containing perfumed oil with which to anoint the tomb. In the space before the youth's face, nearly obliterated, is a small butterfly-like creature, an eidolon, representing the soul of the deceased, which buzzes around the tomb observing the rites and offerings in its behalf.

There are three enclosed palmettes on the shoulder, drawn in matte red. Above the figures are two pairs of stripes circling the body below the shoulder; these frame a band of ornament extending around three-quarters of the vase: groups of three maeanders, running alternately right and left, separated by dotted saltire-squares. The neck, handle, inner and outer mouth, lower body, and top of the foot are black. The side of the foot and the top of the mouth are reserved.

Parallels:

Cf. the youth and grave monument on Minneapolis 57.41.2 (ARV2, 1232, 8).

Collection History:

Bequest of J. C. Hoppin. Bought in Athens in 1897.

Condition:

Unbroken; rim chipped. There is considerable abrasion of the white slip and of the colors added after firing. The left half of the design is nearly effaced by brown staining and incrustation.

Shape Description:

Essentially standard shape for the period, with cylindrical body and disk foot.

Sources Used:

CVA, Hoppin-Gallatin.

Other Bibliography:

CVA, Hoppin-Gallatin, USA 1, 12, pl. 19, 4 and 6.

(Michael Padgett)