Greece, Attic, ca. 425 to 410 BCE. A very fine and quite sizeable bell krater attributed to the Pothos Painter, and extensively decorated via the red figure technique. The vessel presents a characteristically bell-shaped body, upturned looped handles, and a dramatically flared rim, all upon a raised pedestal base. Side A depicts a lively scene of figures in the train of Dionysos, featuring an energetically dancing satyr and maenad (holding a thyrsos - a pinecone tipped scepter) flanked by a maenad holding a pedum (shepherd's crook) at the left and a Tityri (flute playing satyr) playing his double flute (a tityrinos is a double shepherd's pipe). The satyr at the right is named Oinopion, a name given to more than one other satyr, and also the name of a son of Dionysos. Side B features two draped ephebi confronted, one holding a staff/walking stick, the other a strigil; between them a third. Each wears a fillet headband (frequently worn by royalty or athletes). Size: 14.875" W handlespan x 12.125" H (37.8 cm x 30.8 cm)

Nice painted white inscriptions (on Side A) above the figures translate as follows: "Kale" = Pretty Girl; "Oinos" = Wine; "Eudia" = Tranquility, in this contect perhaps "The Demure One", and "Oinopion" = Winey (a popular satyr's name, also the name of a sone of Dionysos.

Adding to the decorative program of the vessel are stylized palmettes beneath the handles whose termini are encircled by an egg pattern border, an upper register adorned by a laurel wreath, and a lower stylized meander band with checkerboard panels interspersed.

See another bell krater attributed to the Pothos Painter in the British Museum (1824.0501.15) - https://www.bmimages.com/results.asp?image=00022809001&imagex=2&searchnum=0001

An Attic Red-Figured bell krater attributed to the Pothos Painter realized GBP 52,500 ($73,687.95) at Christie's London (Sale 1174, October 24, 2013, Lot 38). Follow this link for that listing: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/an-attic-red-figured-bell-krater-attributed-to-the-5726671-details.aspx

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#132474

Repaired from multiple pieces with visible break lines; however, the painted imagery is still quite vivid.