Bell-shaped Red-figure Krater—magnia—archaeology—pottery—greek—vase

Red-Figure Bell Krater,
Magna Graecia, Apulia, 4th century BC
(ca. 360–330 BC)

Black-glazed ceramic with reserve-painted decoration.

Dimensions:
– Height: 31 cm
– Rim diameter: 31.5 cm

The body is decorated with a ritual or nuptial scene, typical of Apulian production.

On the left, a young male figure (an ephebe, frequently depicted in Apulian vase painting) holds a stylised vegetal branch, probably a sacred sprig, and a richly decorated casket (cista) suspended in the field—an element highly characteristic of gynaecium scenes or nuptial preparations.

On the right, a draped female figure, elegantly dressed in a chiton and himation, holds an ornamented circular mirror, a quintessential feminine attribute associated with beauty, ritual toilette, and marriage, as well as a stylised vegetal branch, likely a sacred sprig.
The field is punctuated with floating motifs (rosettes, jewellery, ribbons), reinforcing the ceremonial and intimate character of the scene.

Carefully executed meander frieze beneath the main scene.
Thick, well-proportioned lateral handles.
Slightly flaring rim with stylised vegetal decoration.

The composition, elegance of the figures, fluid treatment of the drapery, and secondary ornamentation (meander frieze, floating motifs) are characteristic of Apulian production of the second half of the 4th century BC.
Based on stylistic and comparative analysis, this work may be attributed to a high-quality Apulian workshop, close to the circle of the Darius Painter, although no secure named attribution can be proposed.

The vessel is in good overall condition, with surface wear consistent with its age.
Two fine old restorations are visible: one at the rim and one at the base, both carefully executed and without impact on the stability or aesthetic readability of the piece.
Overall, the krater presents a harmonious and stable state of preservation.

Former Belgian private collection, assembled in the early 1980s by Dr. S.
This early provenance is consistent with the practices of the European archaeological art market of that period.

Certified authentic and of the period.
An authenticity certificate, issued by an archaeology expert, will be provided upon purchase.

All items currently for sale can be viewed in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
For further information or requests for high-resolution photographs, please contact +33 (0)6 12 51 35 29.



Apulian bell krater, Apulian vase, Greek pottery, Ancient Greek vase, red-figure pottery, red-figure krater, Magna Graecia, Apulia, 4th century BC, Classical Antiquity, Ancient Greek art, archaeological artifact, archaeological antiquity, Greek ceramics, South Italian pottery, Apulian red-figure, ritual scene, wedding scene, nuptial scene, ephebe, Greek woman, mirror, cista, Painter of Darius, Darius Painter circle, museum-quality piece, museum object, ancient art, classical art, Mediterranean antiquities, collector’s piece, ancient ceramic vessel, Greek archaeology, archaeological collection, authentic antiquity, ancient Greek culture, Hellenic art, Greek civilization, luxury antiquity, private collection, provenance, investment-grade antiquity, decorative antiquity, archaeological treasure, fine antiquities.