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Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)

Attributed to the Nekyia Painter
ca. 450–440 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 159
Above, obverse and reverse, Herakles, Theseus, and Perithoos in Hades
Below, obverse, Apollo and Tityos; reverse, Zeus and giant

This important vase illustrates one of the stories that would have been sung or recited. To atone for having killed his wife and children in a fit of madness, Herakles entered the service of King Eurystheus of Tiryns, who imposed twelve tasks on him. The most difficult was to fetch Kerberos, the watchdog of the underworld. In the upper zone, Herakles with his guide, Hermes, stands beside Theseus and Perithoos, who were punished for attempting to carry off Persephone. Hades, the king of the underworld, is shown behind Perithoos. Around the circumference of the vase appear other heroes known chiefly from the Iliad and the Odyssey, each with his name inscribed. The two scenes in the lower zone depict further mythological punishments.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Nekyia Painter
  • Period: Classical
  • Date: ca. 450–440 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm)
    diameter 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
  • Object Number: 08.258.21
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Terracotta calyx-krater (mixing bowl), Dolon Painter, Terracotta, Greek, South Italian, Lucanian
Terracotta calyx-krater (mixing bowl)
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ca. 400–390 BCE
Pair of terracotta volute-kraters (vases for mixing wine and water) with stands, Terracotta, Greek, South Italian, Apulian
Pair of terracotta volute-kraters (vases for mixing wine and water) with stands
Greek, South Italian, Apulian
3rd quarter of the 4th century BCE
Pair of terracotta volute-kraters (vases for mixing wine and water) with stands, Terracotta, Greek, South Italian, Apulian
Pair of terracotta volute-kraters (vases for mixing wine and water) with stands
Greek, South Italian, Apulian
3rd quarter of the 4th century BCE
Terracotta krater, Hirschfeld Workshop, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta krater
Hirschfeld Workshop
ca. 750–735 BCE
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water), Lydos, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Lydos
ca. 550 BCE

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