Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup)

Unknown

ca. 350 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, seated woman, holding openwork processional basket and accompanied by two other women, Eros, and satyr Reverse, seated woman with standing servant, Eros, and satyr Openwork baskets of this type holding implements of sacrifice were carried by women in religious processions. The presence of a satyr and Eros on both sides of this vase suggests that the festival being celebrated is the Anthesteria. On the second day of this important Attic celebration devoted to Dionysos, the god of wine, he was united in marriage in a secret ritual to the wife of a high honorary official of Athens. It was apparently also a popular time for weddings in the city, and the seated woman on the back of this vase may be a bride being prepared for marriage. The basket and details of jewelry are in slight relief and gilded.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 350 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906