Terracotta bell-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Attributed to the Villa Giulia Painter
Obverse, Apollo between Leto and Artemis
Reverse, old king between two women
The bell-krater with handles became popular during the second quarter of the fifth century B.C. The Villa Giulia Painter used the ample surface to depict dignified, statuesque figures. Apollo, the god of music, appears here with his mother, Leto, and sister, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, as they offer libations; all have their names inscribed. On the reverse, an elderly man with a scepter faces a woman with a phiale (libation bowl) and oinochoe (jug). The conceit of depicting gods and mortals preparing libations is a recurrent theme—compare the Berlin Painter's stamnos (1988.40) in a nearby case.
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