Vase Catalog Number: Munich 2322 (inv. no. Munich J 420)

Decoration:

The lower, rounded part of the foot is glazed, while the upper profile is clay-colored. The exterior of the vessel's rim is also clay-colored. There is a band of tongues running from handle to handle just under the neck-body join. On the neck a band of ivy with added red tendrils (almost obliterated today) and clay-colored leaves runs around both sides. Both main scenes are bordered below by an egg pattern.

On side A, a naked Odysseus confronts the fleeing Nausicaa and her companions, whose game of ball has awakened him. His left foot is raised slightly on a low rock. In his hair, as well as clutched in his hands, are short branches with added red leaves. A leafless tree stands behind him, with items of laundry spread on its branches to dry. In front of him stands Athena, encouraging him, wearing a long peplos, helmet, and aegis with a crescent moon decoration, and holding a spear in her right hand. On the right two young women flee in fright. They are wearing short, belted chitons and long wraps over their shoulders, and their hair is decorated with diadems. The first woman, who looks back at Odysseus and is perhaps intended as Nausicaa, has her hair done up in the rear, while the second woman's hair hangs loose behind her.

On side B three female servants busy themselves with laundry while they talk together. All three wear belted chitons. The lefthand servant has her hair tied in back, the middle figure loose short hair, and the righthand woman a sakkos-like cap. All three have items of clothing in their hands and appear to be wringing them or preparing to hang them out to dry. Between the middle and the righthand servant is a small rock. On both sides relief outlines are used.

Graffiti:

On the underside of the foot is a graffito.

Parallels:

Odysseus's head here resembles that of a beggar on a fragment in Athens, Athens, Agora P 18538 (Hesperia 17 (1948): 189 f. Taf. 68, 5; Van Hoorn 1951, 93, no. 245 bis, Abb. 388g).

Condition:

Small areas of the lower body near the foot have been restored.

Shape Description:

The foot is in two parts, a short convex profiled disk on the bottom and a taller concave profiled disk above. The handle are spiral-shaped.

Sources Used:

CVA, Deutschland 20, München 5, pp. 9-10.

Other Bibliography:

See CVA for extensive bibliography.

(Deirdre Beyer-Honça)