Polychrome Krater with Lid; Epaulia Scene, 3rd century B.C.
Greek, South Italian, 3rd century B.C.
Terracotta, 18 1/2 x 21 1/8 inches
MSU purchase, funded by the Friends of Kresge Art Museum, 83.4
This rare polychromed krater, one of fewer than ten in the U.S., is important both as a work of art and as a window into the social climate in the ancient city of Centuripe, on the modern-day island of Sicily. Kraters from this region are distinguished by the wide range of pastel colors hand-painted on the clay after firing. Unfortunately, this technique also accounts for the impermanence of the colors.
In ancient Greek culture, major life events — weddings, births and deaths — were typically commemorated with elaborate and expensive gifts such as this krater. On the clay surface we see an epaulia, a gift-giving ceremony that took place on the third day of the wedding celebrations. Seated in the center, in right profile, is the bride with a woman servant behind her. She faces two guests on the right. The central portion of the painting is missing but by analogy with better-preserved vessels from the same region, a depiction of the presentation of a wedding gift by the wreathed figure seems likely. This gift was potentially a fan, chest or pair of sandals, all of which were traditional wedding gifts in the Hellenic world.