Bidspirit auction | HUGE APULIAN BELL KRATER DEPICTING
HUGE APULIAN BELL KRATER DEPICTING A RIDING A PANTHER BY THE BLACK THYRSUS PAINTER - Ca. 360 - 350 BC. A bell krater attributed to the Black Thyrsus Painter with an inverted bell-shaped body tapering towards a disc-shaped base. Two horizontal loop handles extend from the upper body, curving inward. A band of laurel leaves runs beneath the flared rim. An ovolo pattern encircles the bases of the handles. Below, large palmettes with scrolling tendrils are symmetrically arranged, and a meander pattern frames the lower section. On Side A, a Dionysiac thiasus is depicted with Dionysus riding a white panther to the left. Beside him, a maenad dances, wearing a long, flowing chiton with finely rendered folds, and her hair is arranged in an updo. The scene is framed by two satyrs; one on the left plays the flute, while the other, positioned to the right, is shown with an outstretched arm, holding a patera. Above the figures, large clusters of grapes are arranged across the scene. Side B portrays three youths engaged in conversation, all wrapped in himatia. The figure on the right holds a stick, while the other two stand facing him, their postures relaxed.For similar see: The Louvre Museum, Other inventory number: N 2799.Size: 370mm x 350mm; Weight: 3.7kgProvenance: Private UK collection, acquired on the Dutch art market; previously acquired on the Belgian art market; Peter van der Elst, Liege, 1987. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.This piece is accompanied by a historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy.