Roman, Southern Italy
Vase, 3rd century BCE
Terracotta with white slip, 55 x 32 cm (21 5/8 x 12 5/8 in.)
The globe shaped Southern Italian vase is a dull brown color with traces of white slip. The neck and mouth of the vase are not in the center of the body, but are to one side of the large, round body. The handle of the vase is behind the neck, again resting on the top of the body of the vase. On the front of the vase is an image of a female face. Two small wings extend from the top and back of the face. On each side of the face the front half of a horse protrudes from the vase, and both horses have their front legs raised in full gallop. Three female figures stand on top of the vase. One is high on the wide flat handle and has a wing on her right side, the left wing is missing. The other two figures stand on a ledge flanking the neck of the vase. The foot of the vase is smaller than the body, but wide.
Raphael Room
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.