Skip to main content

Red-Figure Bell Krater

NationalityGreek-Attic, Europe
Datecirca 420–410 BCE
MediumTerracotta
DimensionsOverall: 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm)
Sheet: 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm)
Credit LineBlanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Archer M. Huntington Museum Fund and the James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation, 1980.40
Collection AreaAntiquities
Object number1980.40
On View
Not on view
Label Text
The naked youth on left plays a lyre and a girl plays an aulos (reed pipe), while the youth to the right seems to direct movement with a torch, leading a lively procession. Reverse side: Three youths in conversation. Such generic scenes appear very frequently on the rear side of kraters in this period. Their meaning is ambiguous, but they may represent courtship.
ProvenanceLikely acquired in Italy between 1820–30, perhaps in England or Italy by 1841 by Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton [1790–1851], 2nd Marquess of Northampton, Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire, England; by descent to Charles Douglas Compton [1816-1877], 3rd Marquess of Northampton; by descent to William Compton [1818–1897], 4th Marquess of Northampton; by descent to William George Spencer Scott Compton [1851–1913], 5th Marquess of Northampton; by descent to William Bingham Compton [1885–1978], 6th Marquess of Northampton; by descent to Spencer Douglas David Compton [b.1946], 7th Marquess of Northampton; sold (Christie’s, London) July 2nd, 1980, The Castle Ashby Vases, lot 30
Red-Figure Column Krater (Wine Mixing Vessel)
Attributed to the Pig Painter
circa 470 BCE
Red-Figure Apulian Plate
Attributed to the Workshop of the Darius Painter
circa 340–320 BCE
Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Container)
Attributed to the Oionokles Painter
circa 470 BCE
Red-Figure Kylix
Attributed to the Eretria Painter
circa 435–430 BCE
Red-Figure Kylix - Type B (Wine Cup)
Painter of Louvre G 456
circa 430 BCE
Black-Figure Cup - Type A (Wine Cup)
In the manner of the Lysippides Painter
circa 520–510 BCE
Black-Figure Neck Amphora
Attributed to the Leagros Group
circa 510–500 BCE
Red-Figure Askos (Flask)
Unknown Greek-Attic
circa 425–400 BCE
Red-Figure Squat Lekythos (Oil Container)
Unknown Greek-Attic
circa 425–390 BCE
Red-Figure Calpis
Unknown Greek-South Italian (Apulia)
circa 400–390 BCE
Campanian Red-Figure Kantharos
Unknown Greek-Boeotian
circa 430–420 BCE
Early Corinthian Round Aryballos (Oil Bottle)
Attributed to the Warrior Group
circa 600 BCE