This small, wide-mouthed black-figure Greek Vase has a flat base, with a rounded body that tapers up to a flared lip that is chipped and cracked. Made of reddish terracotta, the decoration is black clay slip. The lower half of the body of the vase is primarily black with an unglazed band of reddish terra cotta two-thirds of the way up. The upper half of the body of the vase is decorated with seven human figures interspersed with stylized forms composed of a thin curvilinear center line with black dots on either side along the length of the line to give the appearance of a fern frond. The seven figures that encircle the vase are a figure astride a horse, a figure seated with arms outstretched holding a mirror, a figure astride a horse, a seated figure with a large belly, with outstretched arms holding a square object with a hole in the center, a figure astride a horse, a seated figure with both arms outstretched, and a figure walking upright carrying a lyre-shaped object. The fronds and figures are crudely drawn and impressionistic in appearance.
Greek
Vase,
6th century BCE
Terracotta
,
8.3 x 9.2 cm (3 1/4 x 3 5/8 in.)
Object details
Accession number
C16s6
Primary Creator
Greek
Full title
Vase
Creation Date
6th century BCE
Provenance
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner in Rome for 15 lire in 1895.
Dimensions
8.3 x 9.2 cm (3 1/4 x 3 5/8 in.)
Display Media
Terracotta
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Raphael Room
Bibliography
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), p. 111. (as Greek, dated 6th century BCE)
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.