|
Paestan Lebes Gamikos: Judgment of ParisAn ancient Paestan large red-figure lebes gamikos by the Painter of Naples 2585. The very elaborately constructed vase was fired in three sections. The scene is that of the Judgment of Paris: the goddesses Aphrodite and Athena stand in the center, a winged Eros at Aphrodite's side. Hera is seated at right. On the reverse, a nude youth offers garlands to a seated female. Paestum, Southern Italy. The lebes gamikos, a nuptial vase, was the quintessential ancient Greek wedding gift. The vase, in its most elaborate form, was actually three vases stacked upon one another: a large high handled lebes on the bottom, a shallow lekanis in the middle, and a small alabastron on top. These three vessels in one are thought to have held grain, salt, and oil respectively; the traditional offerings for a successful marriage. Very often the scene on the vase itself relates to marriage as well. Published: K. Schauenburg, Studien zur Unteritalischen Vasenmalerei, vol. II, (Kiel, 2002), p. 133 , no. 131. For the Painter of Naples 2585, confer: A.D. Trendall, RFVSIS, pp. 98-101, figs. 63-65, pl. 35b-d, pl. 361-d. Formerly in a New York private collection; previously in the S. R. collection, Chicago, early 1980's. Inv#: 3133 $28,000 |
