Ashmolean Museum: Features - NACF Highlight

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
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Greek vase decorated with scenes from the adventures of Theseus
Gallery 33, 'Greek Myths' case

Greek vase decorated with scenes from the adventures of Theseus This red-figure vase was produced in Athens in the fifth century BC and was exported at that time to Italy, where it was found at Spina, north-west of Ravenna. It is a calyx-crater vase, a crater being a large bowl for mixing wine and water and calyx referring to the shape of the vase, which has low handles. The scenes illustrated are from Greek mythology and include Theseus confronting the giant Procrustes, and Prometheus bringing fire from heaven in a stalk of giant fennel.

Acquired in 1937.

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