palmette and fan pattern on the rear. The identities of the two figures are unknown, however

the subject of the painting appears to be a

libation scene. A grave stele, raised on a two step

base and surmounted by a capital in the shape of an acanthus leaf stands in the centre of the scene.

To the left of the stele a nude young man sits on a suspended rock draped with a cloak. He holds a lance in his right hand and a large bird perches on the fingers of his upturned left hand. He is seated in a relaxed pose: his torso is turned to

the front, his head and legs are depicted in profile

and his legs are crossed at the calves.

A young woman stands in a relaxed frontal pose

on the right of the stele, dressed in a beautiful

patterned gown trimmed on the front with a slim

dark band. The gown is belted at the waist. She

is also wearing a matching head scarf. A curl of

dark hair falls on her cheek. She offers the man

a small dish with her outstretched right hand and

holds a patterned tambourine in her left hand.

Shading emphasises the woman's hand and the

man's feet against the stone stele.

Scene B on the rear of the vase is decorated with an

intricate honeysuckle and fan palmette design, set

over a wave pattern. The two scenes are separated

by head motifs placed under the side handles.

Ornament:

There are no ground lines and both scenes are

suspended over an encircling wave pattern. There

is an egg pattern on the lip and a wreath of laurel

leaves around the neck which meet in a flower

motif at the centre. Rosettes and tambourines are

scattered throughout the field. The colours white

and yellow are visible on accessories and the

handles, base and foot are painted black.

Bibliography and notes:

Cook, pg.189: Campanian plates. 54, 55a, 55b

palmettes-fans.

Trendall, Greek Vases of the Logie Collection, pg.

68: Campanian plate. 33, no. 39 c-d bail amphora

with palmettes and fans, and also plates 40, 41, 42.

* Cohen & Shapiro, pg.19, pl. 11

Education Kit

‘Ancient Greek And Roman Collections (Years 11 to 13)’

Auckland Museum Te Papa Whakahiku

© Auckland Museum 2002