From the THETIS Cabinet – available to order
This exquisite black-figure amphora is based on an Attic terracotta Type B amphora attributed to the manner of the Lysippides Painter, circa 530 B.C., in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Obverse: combat between two warriors.
Reverse: Dionysos, god of wine, between two satyrs.
The Lysippides Painter was a follower of Exekias who specialized in large vessels. Toward the end of the sixth century B.C., such works often featured either a small number of strongly presented figures or more complex, densely arranged scenes. The combat depicted here exemplifies the ability of ancient Greek vase painting to reduce a narrative to its essential elements while retaining its force and immediacy.
The first version of this amphora was one of two pieces created by THETIS in November–December 2014 in connection with the filming of the BBC documentary Treasures of Ancient Greece.
The amphora is now available to order as a bespoke production. Each piece is entirely handmade and individually decorated in our Athens workshop, following the materials, techniques and firing processes developed through our research into ancient Greek ceramic technology. As a result, minor variations between individual pieces are inherent to the handmade process and make each vase unique.
Approximate production time: 7–8 weeks
Dimensions H: 50 cm, Rim D: 18 cm, Max. D: 32 cm.
The original amphora measures 41.5 cm in height. The THETIS reconstruction is supplied with a separately made lid and measures approximately 50 cm in overall height including the lid.