Zungur
Governor
The 'urn' is actually a calyx crater, of rather Late Classical style (I'd go for 5th cent. BC, but I'm no expert in this modern stuff). Since these pots were used to mix wine and water (this is another proof the Greekes were true barbarians) during the symposium it should actually be quite a bit bigger.I can't help, I'm afraid, as I was careless enougn to lose the reference. If someone can help identify the young lady I'll be glad and thankful
The urn - original or copy, again I cannot say - actually depicts in a somewhat stylized fashion the episode of Danae's "seduction" by Zeus.
That is pure luck, but thanks again for your supportive comment Bob
Young ladies (as long as they were no hetairai, which naturally is impossible for a king's daughter) should only get into contact with these vessels when they are washing the dishes.
The vase depicting the myth that is the subject of the picture is a wonderful detail and cetainly there is a nice 'meta-something' word for this in art history.
It is rather interesting that we are so much used to imagine these mythological scenes in a setting that depicts a time when these mythlogical stories themselves were alredy centuries and centuries old.
If there actually was some kind of 'historical root' in these stories, they took place in a completely different environment (the thick walls of the chamber would actually fit nicely to Mycenaean palaces, which had *alas* not towers).
But this was done already by the ancient Greeks as well, who had very little (if any) real knowledge of their ancient history. So they just used props, fashions and garments they were used to.
The same again happened much later in Europe, that is why poor King Arthur always has to stumble around in 13th cent. tournament armour (with the glorious excetpion of 'King Arthur' by Fuqua, that had Keira in it and by this alone would be above all criticism).
Ah ... were did we start?
Forget all of this nonsense abbove!
Great pic, Kam!