Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup)
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.
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.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup)
- Period: Late Classical
- Date: ca. 350 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
- Dimensions: H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
diameter 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1021.181
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Greek, Attic
mid-4th century BCE
Hieron
Makron
ca. 480 BCE
Greek, South Italian, Campanian
4th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 10th–early 9th century BCE
Greek, Attic
late 6th century BCE
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.