Syriskos Painter
Red Figure Column Krater

ArtistGreek (Attic)
CultureGreek (Attic)
Titles
  • Red Figure Column Krater
Date480–460 BC
PlaceGreece
MediumTerracotta with slip
Dimensions17 3/8 × 16 1/2 × 14 1/2 in. (44.2 × 41.9 × 36.8 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Museum Collectors; Mr. and Mrs. James M. Vaughn, Jr. / The Vaughn Foundation Fund; Isabel B. and Wallace S. Wilson; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Nancy and Mark Abendshein; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; Drs. Ellin and Robert G. Grossman; Caroline Wiess Law; and Frances and Peter Marzio
Object number2003.136
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
200 Jamail Atrium
On view

Explore Further

Department
Antiquities
Object Type
Description

This large ceramic vessel, called a column krater, was used for mixing water and wine. It is exceptional for its size, its beautifully balanced composition, and the finely painted figures.


The primary characters are important deities from Greek mythology. On the front, Zeus and Hera—king and queen of the Olympian gods—are seated on either side of the winged goddess Iris, who pours an offering from a jug called an oinochoe into a dish called a phiale, held by Zeus. Iris extends her left hand toward Hera, who grasps it in her own hand. Hermes, messenger to the gods, walks to the left but looks back to the right. The other side of the column krater depicts a woman standing between two youths.


ProvenanceIan Woodner (c. 1903–1990), New York, by 1950s; The Ian Woodner Family Collection; [Phoenix Ancient Art, New York/Geneva, by 2003]; purchased by MFAH, 2003.
Exhibition History"Patrons Choice: The Silver Anniversary of The Museum Collectors, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," September 18, 2004–January 30, 2005. Millennium Gallery and Public Corridor.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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