Perseus Vase: London B 364

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Vase Catalog Number: London B 364

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Collection:	London, British Museum
Summary:	Body in black Lower zone of neck, side A: Herakles and Kyknos; side B: Fight, with chariots
Ware:	Attic Black Figure	Shape:	Volute krater
Painter:	Attributed to Lydos (by J.D. Beazley)	Potter:	Signed by Nikosthenes
Context:		Region:
Date:	ca. 530 B.C. - 520 B.C.	Period:	High Archaic
Dimensions:	H. 0.375 m., D. 0.305 m.
Primary Citation:	ABV, 229; Para, 108

Decoration:

The entire body of the vase is painted black, with a pattern of rays in the reserved area near the base. The handles are decorated with an ivy pattern on Side A, and a spiral chain on Side B. A maeander and addorsed palmette chain are above the figural band on the neck, while the inscription NIKOSTHENES EPOIESEN ("Nikosthenes made [me]") is on the rim.

The figural decoration is on the neck of the vessel. Side A: Hermes, Iolaos, Herakles, chariot with charioteer, Eris, Athena, Ares, Zeus, Phobos and Kyknos with chariot.

Side B: Battle scene with chariot.

Williams (p. 34) compares it to metal prototypes like the bronze vase in the British Museum (London GR 1980.10-29.1), which is also signed on the rim. The black painted body may suggest a metal prototype. D. Kurtz (as cited in the CVA) has pointed out a bronze version published in Hornbostel 1977, 91f., no. 63; and also that the placing of the signature on the lip of the British Museum vase reflects the practice with metal vases.

Kyknos was the son of Ares and Pelopia, daughter of Pelias. He would prey on travelers, killing them and dedicating the spoils to his father, Ares. He did this to travelers going to Delphi, which angered Apollo who then had Herakles fight him. Herakles killed Kyknos, prompting Ares to avenge his son's death. The outcome of the story has two versions; that Athena helped Herakles to wound Ares, who ran off to Mount Olympos, or that Zeus interfered and wouldn't let them fight at all. Both Athena and Zeus appear in this version.

Inscriptions:

The inscription NIKOSTHENES EPOIESEN ("Nikosthenes made [me]") is on the rim.

Parallels:

Williams (p. 34) compares it to metal prototypes like the bronze vase in the British Museum London GR 1980.10-29.1, which is also signed on the rim.

Condition:

Fragments missing from neck and shoulder.

Sources Used:

Hoppin 1924, 207; Williams 1985, p. 34, fig. 39a

Other Bibliography:

Perrot & Chipiez, 1882, (10) 257, 263, fig. 168; Pfuhl 1923, fig. 256.

(Anne Leinster)

Keywords:
Ares, Athena, chariot, charioteer, combat, Eris, fight, fighting, Herakles, Hermes, Iolaos, ivy, Kyknos, palmette, Phobos, Zeus

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5 Images

Archive Number Caption

1990.14.0341 Side B: oblique from left Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

1990.14.0316 Side B: oblique from right Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

1990.14.0342 Side A: chariot on left Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

1990.14.0332 Side A: chariot on right Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

1990.14.0317 Side B: chariot on left Photograph courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London

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