Hydria with red figures, attributed to the Painter of Cassandra, circa 360-340 BC.

Attributed to the Painter of Cassandra
Greek art, Campania, circa 360-340 B.C.

Black-glazed orange clay
H. 27.5 cm
Handles broken and reglued, otherwise very well preserved.

Provenance: Delon Hoebanx sale, Paris, May 26, 2023, lot no. 212, as 19th c.
Under the foot, a 19th c. inscription in pen " UR"

Bibliography: Unpublished.

The body of this beautiful hydria is decorated with a scene depicting Hermes seated between two standing figures, the second of whom is wearing a pilos (Orestes and Pylades?). The young god is naked, wearing a petasus. His shoulders are covered by a chlamydia clasped by a fibula. He holds the kerikéion (caduceus). The scene is underlined by a frieze of Greciques interrupted by crosses. The shoulder is richly decorated with palmettes, surmounted by friezes of staggered tongues, foliage and ovals. The mouthpiece is painted with a corded frieze. The rear part below the handle is decorated with a large palmette motif. This shape, with two horizontal side handles and a vertical one at the back, was designed to carry water.