Magna Graecia, Southern Italy, Apulia, ca. 355 to 345 BCE. A finely painted column krater, possibly by the Wolfenbuttel Painter, presenting an elegant form with intriguing iconography (see extended description below) and elaborate decoration, all finely delineated via the red-figure technique with additional fugitive white, yellow, and red pigments. Below the ivy tendril adorned neck on Side A is a standing male youth, nude save the wreath adorning his coiffure and laced foot coverings. He holds a large patera in his left hand, a cloak over that arm, and a leafy frond in his right hand. On the right is a female maenad, dressed in a flowing long girt chiton, an elaborate saccos, and beaded necklaces whose head is turned to face the young male, though her body is motioning away from him toward the right. She holds a tympanum in her right hand and a cask in her left. Side B features two male draped figures facing one another and leaning on walking sticks. Both figural programs are framed by a fretted band above, double dotted bands to either side, and a bold Greek key/meander below with a central element featuring a quartered square with a dot housed in each quadrant. Size: 14.125" W handlespan x 16" H (35.9 cm x 40.6 cm)

Adding to the decorative program is a wave pattern adorning the flattened rim and stylized palmettes on the upper extended sections of the twin, double handles.

A column krater vessel is named for its column-like handles. This form first emerged as a Corinthian form during the late seventh century BCE. It was also popular among Attic potters from the first half of the 6th century to the third quarter of the 5th century BCE - and was later admired by Apulian potters of the 4th century BCE.

See a column krater painted by the Wolfenbuttel Painter at the British Museum (1772,0320.419) - http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=394403&partId=1&searchText=stylus&page=6

Provenance: private Pasadena, California, USA collection

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#134361

Repair to upper end of one handle. Normal surface wear with scuffs and minor abrasions, but the vast majority of the painted decorative/iconography program is very well preserved. Repair to foot with small loss as shown.