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Side A: scene at center

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Side A: Herakles and the Birds

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Three-dimensional approximation of the vase

Collection: London, British Museum
Summary: Side A: Herakles and the Stymphalian birdsSide B: Two Maenads dancing in one mantle and three satyrs
Ware: Attic Black Figure
Painter: Attributed to Group E
Context: Vulci
Date: ca. 560 BC - ca. 530 BC
Dimensions:

H 0.408m
Primary Citation: ABV, 134.28, Para, 55, Beazley Addenda 1, 36
Shape: Amphora
Beazley Number: 301062
Region: Etruria
Period: High Archaic

Decoration Description:

Side A: Herakles and the Stymphalian birds. Herakles stands on the left facing right. He holds his sling shot with his left hand and aims with his right. He wears the lion's skin over his head and body with the forepaws tied about his neck and a girdle around his waist, his quiver hangs on his shoulder. Beneath this he wears a short bordered chiton in added red. Eleven birds are flying this way and that in great confusion while five remain on the ground.

Side B: In the center two maenads are confronted, gesturing with their hands as if speaking to one another. They are wrapped in the same chlaina, embroidered with white rosettes (Soph. Trach. 540). Both wear a fillet and a peplos with overfold. Between them on the ground is a small bird facing right. Behind one at the far left a bearded satyr with a full goatskin on his back dances to the right. On the right are two bearded satyrs dancing back to back.

There is a lotus palmette border at the top of the panel on Side A. On Side B the frieze above the design panel bears entwined honeysuckle flowers.

Collection History:

Canino Collection

Sources Used:

Walters 1893, 115; CVA, 3, 5, pl. 29, 1a,b; Boardman 1974, fig. 95

Other Bibliography:

Gerhard Auserlene Vasenbilder iv, pl. 324