Bell Krater with Satyrs and Maenads and Three Draped Men

This red-figure bell krater depicts satyrs and maenads revelling on the front. On the left a satyr wearing a fawn skin for a cloak and a wreath stands to the right; in his right hand he holds up a thyrsos from which an ivy vine hangs. In front of him a maenad dances right, looking around. She wears a peplos girded at the waist, bracelets, earring, wreath and possibly a necklace. Over her head she holds a thyrsos in her right hand, and in her left is a tympanum. Next comes a satyr who goes right, looking around. He also wears a fawn skin for a cloak and a wreath. His right arm is extended back over his head, and in his left hand he holds a thyrsos. On the right another maenad dances right, looking around. She wears a peplos, diadem, earring, necklace, bracelets, and wreath, and holds a ribbon between her hands. Rocks and foliage fill out the scene.

On the back are three mantled youths, two to the right and the third to the left. The first holds a circular object (possibly a aryballos) in his extended right hand. The one in the center gestures withhis right hand. The third holds an aryballos by a string in his extended right hand. A strigil hangs by his head. The last two wear fillets.

Revelling satyrs and maenads is a popular subject at this time, and similarly posed dancing figures are common.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Don Marcello Massarenti Collection, Rome [cat. no. 195]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1902, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.