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Handle of a stamnos or calyx krater with two killing scenes
Italic, Etruscan
Classical Period
Late 5th–4th century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
Height x width: 14.1 x 13 cm (5 9/16 x 5 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by contribution
Accession Number01.7488
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Bronzes (MFA), no. 510; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 125 (additional published references).
DescriptionThe tubular, horizontal handle of a stamnos has a raised, beaded band in the center. At each end, there is a group of two figures in relief: A: Youth with a lyre, strapped to his left wrist, is seated on his chlamys; a crouching woman in a girt chiton is cutting his throat. There is a plectrum on the ground between them. The depiction can be identified as Orpheus killed by a Thracian woman B: Youth in a chlamys and Attic helmet stabs a draped woman in the throat. She places her right hand on his knee and clutches her breast with the left. The episode depicted is presumably the murder of Klytaimnestra perpetrated by his son Orestes. Somewhat corroded. Pale green patina.
ProvenanceBefore 1864, sold by Fanello Fanelli (b. 1829 - d. 1904), Sarteano, to Alessandro Castellani (dealer; b. 1823 - d. 1883), Rome [see note 1]. Before 1869, acquired by William Henry Forman (b. 1794 - d. 1869), Pippbrook House, Surrey; by descent, through his sister-in-law, Mrs. Burt, to his nephew, Major A. H. Browne, and in 1890 taken to Callaly Castle, Northumberland; July 2-5, 1900, posthumous Forman collection sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, London, included in lot 575, to "Ready," probably for Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 -d. 1928), Rome and London [see note 2]; 1901, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 1, 1901)
NOTES: [1] Wolfgang Helbig, "Antichità chiusine del sig. Al. Castellani," Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica 36 (1864): pp. 263-266. [2] Warren acquired a number of objects from this sale, including others that were sold, according to annotations in the catalogue, to "Ready."
NOTES: [1] Wolfgang Helbig, "Antichità chiusine del sig. Al. Castellani," Bullettino dell’Instituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica 36 (1864): pp. 263-266. [2] Warren acquired a number of objects from this sale, including others that were sold, according to annotations in the catalogue, to "Ready."